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Managing Your Cholesterol

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What is Cholesterol?

A waxy substance – technically a sterol (unsaturated steroid alcohol)

75% of your cholesterol is made in your liver, the rest is absorbed from food

Cholesterol travels in particles called lipoproteins: high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL)

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Where does Cholesterol come from?

The Liver

Makes Cholesterol and secretes it into the blood

Regulated by receptors in the liver

Genetics

genetic predisposition for familial hypercholesterolemia

Diet

High saturated fat intake

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Types of Cholesterol HDL considered the 'good'

cholesterol

Contains a higher level of protein than cholesterol

HDLs transport cholesterol from the tissues of the body to the liver, so the cholesterol can be eliminated in the bile.

The higher the HDL cholesterol level, the lower the risk of coronary artery disease.

LDL considered the ‘bad' cholesterol

Higher level of cholesterol than protein

LDLs tend to stick to damaged or inflamed areas of blood vessel walls and form plaque buildup

The higher the LDL cholesterol level, the higher the risk of coronary artery disease.

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What are Triglycerides? Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood

Your body converts any calories it doesn't need to use right away into triglycerides

Triglycerides are stored in your fat cells

Hormones release triglycerides for energy between meals

Regularly eat more calories than you burn will raise triglycerides and increase fat storage

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What is the difference between Cholesterol and Triglycerides?

Recommended rang is below 150.

Triglycerides store unused calories

Cholesterol used build and repair cells

High triglycerides are often a sign obesity and metabolic syndrome

High triglycerides can be a sign of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, low thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), liver or kidney disease

High triglycerides could also be a side effect of taking medications (beta blockers, birth control pills, diuretics, steroids or some chemotherapies).

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Why do we need Cholesterol?

Your body uses cholesterol to make:

Vitamin D

sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)

Stress hormones (cortisol)

bile acids for digestion

Contributes to normal membrane function of nerve cells in the brain

Serves as an antioxidant (Neuroprotective)

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Current Recommendations

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How can we control cholesterol?Diet:

Minimize sweets and refined carbohydrates (i.e.: white bread, candy). Excess sugar increases triglyceride levels contributing to cholesterol production.

Increase consumption of healthy fats

Consume carbohydrates with proteins and fats to slow breakdown. Increases satiety, reduces insulin response

Reduce portion sizes to control calorie intake. helps maintain normal weight and sugar metabolism

Increase Fiber intake

Exercise: Physical activity increases cellular energy needs

Increases ration of good to bad cholesterol

Stress Reduction: Reduces stress hormone (cortisol) response, reducing blood pressure and blood sugar.

Medication and/or supplements *same as blood sugar regulation

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Healthy Fats

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Hidden Dangers High Cholesterol

The incubation period for this disease can be up to 10 to 20 years.

Metabolic disruptions are present long before physical symptoms.

Reduces overall quality of life feelings of wellbeing.

Accelerates development of other health issues: hypertension, heart disease, dementia.

*same as blood sugar regulation

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Complications of long term elevated Cholesterol

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