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. |
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Effects of Dark Chocolate on Insulin Sensitivity in People With This study will examine whether dark chocolate affects the way patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) respond to insulin, a hormone secreted by JAMA -- Chocolate and Blood Pressure in Elderly Individuals With Short-term administration of dark chocolate is followed by a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in blood pressure in healthy persons Dark chocolate and the healthy heart Dark chocolate might reduce blood pressure, study suggests CHICAGO - A small study suggests that eating dark chocolate can lower your blood pressure - a More Evidence Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure Daily News Central- Health News provides news geared toward health consumers, along with links to informative sites. Coverage includes conditions/diseases, Remedies: Dark Chocolate Similar to Blood Pressure Drugs - New Four out of five studies on chocolate found reduced blood pressure after eating, a report says. Dark chocolate may reduce blood pressure, improve insulin resistance If you have high blood pressure, a daily bar-sized serving of flavonol-rich dark chocolate might lower your blood pressure and improve insulin resistance, Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure, study shows If it tastes good it must be bad, so the saying goes, but delicious dark chocolate may be the exception to the rule. BBC NEWS | Health | Chocolate 'lowers' blood pressure A small amount of dark chocolate could reduce blood pressure, research from Germany suggests. BBC NEWS | Health | Chocolate 'has health benefits' Eating dark chocolate could help control diabetes and blood pressure, Italian experts say. Researchers found eating 100g of dark chocolate each day for 15 Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure Dark chocolate and other cocoa-rich foods may be better than tea at lowering blood pressure, researchers report. Dark Chocolate Is Healthy Chocolate Dark chocolate has ingredients that lower blood pressure and fight disease, but white chocolate and milk chocolate don't, studies show. |
| chocolate and blood pressure |
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