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  Cholesterol Download

What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a kind of fat which is a major component of cell walls, bile and various hormones. Most of the cholesterol in our body is produced by the liver. It can also be ingested from animal sources such as meat, fish, seafood and dairy products. Since cholesterol is insoluble in blood, it is combined and wrapped around with a substance called 'lipoprotein' before it can be transported in the blood vessels to all parts of the body. Regulation of cholesterol level in our body There is a mechanism in our body to ensure that our blood cholesterol level is always kept within a desirable range. Cholesterol production by the liver would drop when our dietary consumption increases and its production would rise to fulfill our body needs if we consume limited amount of this essential substance. However, for some individuals, this mechanism fails to work and their blood cholesterol soars after consuming plenty of food high in cholesterol. Thus they should manage their diet very carefully to prevent associated health risks. Consequences of high cholesterol level Excess cholesterol in our blood could be deposited on the inner walls of the blood vessels leading to a partial or complete blockage of the lumen. Coronary heart disease is resulted when the coronary artery that supplies blood to the heart muscles is blocked. Similarly, a stroke would occur when cholesterol deposition causes blockage or rupture of blood vessels of the brain and this could further lead to hemiplegia or even death. Both heart disease and stroke are the major killers in Hong Kong.
Desirable levels of cholesterol and lipoproteins The sum of all cholesterol in our blood is referred as 'Total Cholesterol' which is mainly consisted of 'Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol' and 'High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol'. LDL cholesterol promotes fat deposition in blood vessels and increases risk of coronary heart disease. Thus it is often named as the 'bad cholesterol'. On the contrary, HDL cholesterol is named as the 'good cholesterol' as it offers protection against blockage and rupture of blood vessels and reduces risk of heart disease. Although total cholesterol is consisted of the good cholesterol', it is also directly affected by the amount of ' bad cholesterol' in our blood thus an elevated level of total cholesterol is not desirable. Levels of different types of cholesterol and our risk of heart disease can be measured and indicated by blood tests. Below are the desirable cholesterol levels from statistics: Total cholesterol Below 5.2 LDL cholesterol Below3.4 HDL cholesterol Above 0.9 How to prevent high cholesterol level? To prevent high blood cholesterol and reduce risk of coronary heart disease, it is very important to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Remember: (1) Have a balanced diet. Minimize consumption of high cholesterol foods such as animal fat and skin, internal organs, whole milk products, fried foods and too much egg yolk. Consume more dietary fibre from vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans. (2) Maintain an appropriate body weight. (3) Exercise regularly. (4) Do not smoke. (5) Quit drinking or only drink in moderation. (6) Take cholesterol lowering medication timely and consistently if it has been prescribed by your doctor as part of your treatment. Arrange follow up appointment on a regular basis (7) Individuals with family history of heart or vascular disease should pay extra attention. Regular medical examinations are highly recommended.
The World Health Organization suggests that the daily cholesterol intake of adults should be kept at a level below 300 mg. For more information on health, please call the Department of Health 24-hour pre-recorded health education hotline: 2833 0111 Or visit the website of Central Health Education Unit of the Department of Health: www.cheu.gov.hk
 
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Last revision date: 01 September 2006