What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol). Cholesterol is a lipid found in the cell membranes of all tissues, and it is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. Because cholesterol is synthesized by all eukaryotes, trace amounts of cholesterol are also found in membranes of plants and fungi.The name originates from the Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid), and the chemical suffix -ol for an alcohol, as researchers first identified cholesterol in solid form in gallstones by Francois Poulletier de la Salle in 1769. However, it is only in 1815 that chemist Eugene Chevreul named the compound "cholesterine".[2]Most of the cholesterol is synthesized by the body and some has dietary origin. Cholesterol is more abundant in tissues which either synthesize more or have more abundant densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, spinal cord and brain. It plays a central role in many biochemical processes, such as the composition of cell membranes and the synthesis of steroid hormones. Cholesterol is insoluble in blood, but is transported in the circulatory system bound to one of the varieties of lipoprotein, spherical particles which have an exterior composed mainly of water-soluble proteins. The main types, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) carry cholesterol from and to the liver.According to the lipid hypothesis, abnormally high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia) and abnormal proportions of LDL and HDL are associated with cardiovascular disease by promoting atheroma development in arteries (atherosclerosis). This disease process leads to myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke and peripheral vascular disease. As high LDL contributes to this process, it is termed "bad cholesterol", while high levels of HDL ("good cholesterol") offer a degree of protection. The balance can be redressed with exercise, a healthy diet, and sometimes medication.

blood pressure raise
USATODAY.com - E-voting irregularities raise eyebrows, blood pressure
Concern over electronic voting technology was not assuaged Tuesday as glitches, confusion and human error raised a welter of problem across the country,

TV can raise blood pressure in obese children | Health | Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Obese children who watch a lot of television are more likely to have high blood pressure than heavy children who don't spend as

Raise Limbaugh's blood pressure! Keep Salon in business - Salon.com
Raise Limbaugh's blood pressure! Keep Salon in business. Pages 1. Share. Digg it · Del.icio.us · My Yahoo · RSS; Font: S / S+ / S++

TV can raise blood pressure in obese children: Scientific American
TV can raise blood pressure in obese children A family watches television in an undated photo. Obese children who watch a lot of television are more likely

Does Coffee Raise Blood Pressure? (INeedCoffee.com)
Does coffee consumption lead to high blood pressure?

Orlando Sentinel - Airports raise blood pressure? by Robyn Shelton
A new study suggests that people who live near airports are more likely to have high blood pressure -- due to noise pollution.

InteliHealth:
Anxiety can raise blood pressure. That's why some people who have a normal blood pressure at home find that their blood pressure is high when they see a

Salt Sensitivity: Will Salt Raise YOUR Blood Pressure?
Salt Sensitivity: Will Salt Raise YOUR Blood Pressure?

Bad posture could raise your blood pressure - 11 August 2007 - New
Scientists have found a direct link between the neck muscles and an area of the brainstem that controls heart rate and blood pressure.

TV can raise blood pressure in obese children - Yahoo! News
Obese children who watch a lot of television are more likely to have high blood pressure than heavy children who don't spend as much time in front of the

BBC NEWS | Health | Caffeine 'does not raise blood pressure'
People who opt for decaffeinated coffee to avoid raising their blood pressure may be wasting their time, research suggests.

How To Raise Blood Pressure
Blood pressure, Know more about how to raise blood pressure and the common causes of low blood pressure.

Both Beer, Red Wine Raise Blood Pressure
Beer and red wine can raise your blood pressure, but researchers say alcohol is still heart healthy in the right amount.

Go Ask Alice!: Does caffeine raise blood pressure?
Dear Alice, Does caffeine raise your blood pressure?

Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure
Could your medications or supplements be affecting your blood pressure? Find out.

Secondary high blood pressure: When another condition causes
In this inherited condition, cysts in the kidneys disrupt normal function and raise blood pressure. The high blood pressure can be treated with diet,

Water helps raise blood pressure in some: study
The studies suggest a new and more effective treatment for the blood pressure abnormalities suffered by patients with autonomic failure. By raising blood

Knowing Which Drugs Raise Blood Pressure - For Dummies
Plenty of drugs are on the market that actually raise blood pressure on their own or because they block the action of a drug that lowers blood pressure.


blood pressure raise
claritin blood pressure
control blood pressure
blood pressure monitors reviews
blood pressure and health