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 salt intake
5 Tips on Reducing Salt Intake
Eating less sodium can help lower some people's blood pressure. avoid adding salt to foods at the table and use these 5 tips to reduce your salt intake:

Statement on Sodium Intake and High Blood Pressure
NIH News Release: An article about hypertension prevention and management and the intake of sodium.

NIH News Release-NHLBI Study Shows Large Blood Pressure Benefit
Results showed that reducing dietary sodium lowered blood pressure for both the usual and DASH diets. The lower the sodium intake, the lower the blood

Sodium
How Does Sodium Contribute to High Blood Pressure? In a complex way, increased salt intake causes more fluid to be retained in the blood vessels.

Salt, Blood Pressure, and Human Health -- Alderman 36 (5): 890
Because ecological studies identified an association of salt intake to blood pressure, it was naturally suspected that an alteration in sodium intake could

Individual Blood Pressure Responses to Changes in Salt Intake
Abstract--Although group characteristics are known to influence average blood pressure response to changes in salt intake, predictability of individual

Lowering Salt Intake and Lowering Blood Pressure
Lowering your sodium intake can have a dramatic affect on your blood pressure. Take a look at how you can reduce your salt intake without sacraficing flavor

Ask the Dietitian - by Joanne Larsen MS RD LD - Salt & Sodium
Got questions about Salt Intake and High Blood Pressure? Ask Joanne Larsen, Registered Dietitian and nutrition counselor.

Salt and high blood pressure. Reduce salt to lower high blood pressure
This is true, not only in people with high blood pressure, but also in people with normal blood pressure. A high salt intake also causes other health damage

High Blood Pressure and Reduced Salt Intake
"The current recommendations to reduce salt intake of the 9 to 12 gram intake to 5 to 6 grams a day will have a major effect on blood pressure and heart

Salt intake gives toddlers high blood pressure - Times Online
Children as young as four are eating so much salt that they are suffering from high blood pressure, it was revealed yesterday.

Blaming dietary sodium for high blood pressure is too simplistic
In fact, according to Gayle Reichler's book, Active Wellness, only half the people with hypertension have high blood pressure because of their salt intake,

Enhanced Responsiveness of Blood Pressure to Sodium Intake and to
II is altered in salt-sensitive IDDM patients, and 4) salt intake .. Gavras H: How does salt raise blood pressure? A hypothesis. H y p e r t e n s i o n

Journal of Human Hypertension - Abstract of article: Salt and
To study the relationship between salt intake and blood pressure in children and adolescents, we analysed the data of a large cross-sectional study (the

Sodium: Are you getting too much? - MayoClinic.com
A lower sodium intake has a more beneficial effect on blood pressure. . Most people find that after a few weeks of cutting their salt intake,

Campbell's Center for Nutrition & Wellness - Salt Intake: Step
Salt Intake: Step-Wise Reductions to Achieve Balance A decrease in sodium can decrease blood pressure; although the effect is not the same in everyone.

Reduce Salt Intake to Avoid High Blood Pressure & Heart Attack
Check out Reduce Salt Intake to Avoid High Blood Pressure & Heart Attack - Submitted by Nick Howes at Associated Content.

Effects of Diet and Sodium Intake on Blood Pressure: Subgroup
Individual Blood Pressure Responses to Changes in Salt Intake: Results From the DASH-Sodium Trial Hypertension, October 1, 2003; 42(4): 459 - 467.

Chapter 8 Sodium and Potassium
Reducing salt intake is one of several ways that people may lower their blood pressure. The relationship between salt intake and blood pressure is direct


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