HLTH 1020- Research Paper

Cholesterol

Leah Lim

22 November 2017
High cholesterol has been a part of my family for years. Many of my relatives have been

diagnosed with some sort of cardiovascular disease. As a family, we share common

lifestyles and eating habits. According to Harvard Heart Letter, "If you have a family

history of high cholesterol, you are more likely to have high cholesterol." I highly believe

that it is true, about half of my family have high cholesterol. My dad, aunts, uncles, and

grandpa have high cholesterol and other cardiovascular health problems. As they age,

they continue to get a more serious sickness that could lead to fatal health issues.

I have high blood pressure and may have a higher chance of having diabetes, heart

attacks, cancers, and high cholesterols because of my family health history. It's scary to

know that one day my life could dramatically change because of the choices I make

toward my health and lifestyle. High cholesterol runs in the family and is the leading

cause of early heart attack. Through this research, I hope to learn more about the

importance of controlling levels of cholesterol and preventing them in the future.

Especially helping my family be more aware of the consequences of not including a

healthy diet and regular exercise in our daily lifestyle.

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy lipid found in the bloodstream and in all of our body's cells

(Wardlaw, 2017, p. 8). The body needs some cholesterol to help make hormones, like

estrogen and testosterone; the liver makes all the cholesterol it needs but food from the

animal origin, meat, and dairy products, also provides some cholesterol. Without

cholesterol there would be no life, it important that every cell in the body is able to

synthesize it (Browden & Sinatra, 2012, pg. 14). It helps build healthy cell membrane in
your brain, nerves, muscles, skin, and organs. Without cholesterol, the body can't make

vitamin D from the sun. And it helps create bile acid so fat can be digested.

In the blood, proteins carry the cholesterol through the body; cholesterol doesn't dissolve

in water so it can't travel through the body by itself. When the protein and cholesterol

combine they're called lipoproteins, it helps transport cholesterol through the

bloodstream. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the "good cholesterol" because

it helps the LDL cholesterol to return to the liver for elimination (Wardlaw, 2017, p.

179). It also carries cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where it's either

broken down or passed out of the body as urine or feces. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

is known as the "bad cholesterol" because when the LDL carries too much cholesterol for

the cells, it can build up in the artery walls restricting the blood flow to your heart, brain,

and to the rest of the body (Wardlaw, 2017, p. 179).

It can increase the risks of a blood clot that may be developing somewhere in the body

and is the leading cause of the disease of the arteries forming a heart attack or a stroke.

When a person eats too many foods that contain high amounts of fat, such as saturated fat

and trans fat. The liver may produce even more cholesterol that can cause a build up in

the arteries making it hard for the heart to pump blood and cause blood clots to form.

This is known as high cholesterol, also called hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia.

The main goal of treatment is to lower the LDL cholesterol with lifestyle changes. A

person with high levels of LDL cholesterol should include a diet rich in fruits and
vegetables that may increase the importance of lowering cholesterol. And fish like

salmon, tuna, and mackerel. Omega- 3fatty acids help protect the heart from blood clots

and inflammation from a heart attack. Try to limit intake of sodium and alcohol, too

much alcohol will cause your blood pressure to rise and cause weight gain. Losing weight

and including a routine physical activity can lower LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL

cholesterol level. Doctors may prescribe medicines to help lower cholesterol but they

don't cure it. There are five major types of cholesterol-lowering medicines are statins, bile

acid sequestrates, nicotinic acid, fibrates, and ezetimibe.

High cholesterol can be inherited known as familial hypercholesterolemia; children have

a high risk of heart disease. According to American Heart Association, cholesterol testing

should be considered for children and adolescents whose parent or grandparent had

coronary atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease. And

who had a heart attack or sudden cardiac death before age 55. Atherosclerotic process is a

buildup of plaque in the arteries that begins in childhood and progresses slowly into

adulthood; it can lead to coronary heart disease. Children are at greater risk of developing

heart disease, so it is very important for early screening in children to reduce fatty

deposits and discouraging cigarette smoking by encouraging regular aerobic exercise and

a healthy diet.

One should know the different types of cholesterol and their numbers. Total cholesterol is

the measurement of LDL, HDL, and other fatty parts of the blood. But it only provides

limited information about your over high cholesterol risk, your total cholesterol should be
less than 200 mg/dL. Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL) is when LDL

cholesterol floats in the bloodstream and transports cholesterol from one cell in the body

to another cell. The LDL level should be less than 100 mg/dL but those who have had a

heart attack or stroke; the LDL goal is less than 70 mg/dL. The higher your HDL level is

the more cholesterol the body can get rid of because HDL helps take cholesterol away

from the walls of the arteries and return it to the liver where it is cleared from the body;

HDL level should be 40 mg/dL or higher. And lastly, triglycerides are another blood fat

measured in the lipid panel, they are stored in fat cells and used as a source of energy. A

normal triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL (Wardlaw, 2017, p. 181).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third of all

deaths from cardiovascular disease are caused by smoking. Smoking inflames the

damaging effects of LDL cholesterol on your body; meaning smoking lowers the "good

cholesterol" (HDL). Dr. Newby says, "Smoking creates an environment in the

bloodstream that lead to a destructive breakdown (of cholesterol, making LDL even more

toxic to blood vessels, increasing deposits of plaque in the arteries, and increasing

inflammation." This effect can create a blood clot, which reduces or blocks blood flow to

the heart, causing a heart attack and stroke. And by quitting smoking, the damaging

effects on your blood pressure and platelets will immediately correct itself and by

reducing the risks of heart attack and stroke (Newby, 2016).

For those with high cholesterol, should include these ingredients to their diet, fish caught

in the wild, including salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, tuna, snapper, bass, and cod
are filled with a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. According to scientists, consuming

omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk for coronary heart disease. Consuming at least three

servings of fruits and vegetables a day may lower levels of LDL cholesterol, says the

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Family Heart Study. Soluble fibers and

insoluble fibers in fruits (pears, apples, grapes, grapefruit, bananas, blueberries and

oranges) and vegetables (lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels

sprouts, and kale) are known to block the absorption of cholesterol from food and provide

great impact to lowering cholesterol levels (Wardlaw, 2017, p.125). Ron Rosedale, M.D,

reported people who eat nuts have a lower chance of heart disease and are generally

healthier than those who don't eat nuts (walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, and

flaxseeds). Cacao is the purest and original chocolate that is an excellent source of

antioxidants, fatty acids, and other trace minerals. And lastly, F. Batmanghelidj, M.D,

considered that increased cholesterol in the body is a consequence of dehydration. Dr.

Batmanghelidj recommends drinking an ample amount of water before eating, so the

cells will become hydrated before the digestion process.

One should avoid canola oil and other processed vegetable oils because this increases the

level of trans fats, they are known to increase LDL cholesterol and lower HDL

cholesterol levels, according to Dr. Axe. Avoid unhealthy snacks, such as potato chips,

crackers, fried food and other packaged foods. Added sugars have been known to

increase LDL cholesterol, raised triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol (Wardlaw,

2017, p. 335). Bacon and processed meats will increase cardiovascular disease and
stroke. And too much alcohol raises your blood pressure and triglyceride levels and

increases the risk of developing heart issues (Wardlaw, 2017, p. 37).

Regular exercise can raise levels of heart-protecting HDL cholesterol and drop dangerous

triglyceride levels, says Robert H. Eckel, MD, professor of medicine in the cardiology

division at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora. Aerobic/ Cardio

and resistance training are the best workouts for reducing the risk of cardiovascular

disease because these types of exercise have greater benefits for weight loss, fat loss, and

cardiorespiratory fitness. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends an

average of 40 minutes of moderate- to vigorous- intensity aerobic activity through

walking briskly, bicycling, playing tennis, or gardening, three or four times a week or at

least 150 minutes of moderate exercise through race-walking, jogging, or running,

swimming dancing, or hiking, per week (Wardlaw, 2017, p. 47-48).

High cholesterol is genetic; it can run in the family and it has no symptoms until one has

a heart attack. Cholesterol level increases with age, it's important to know the risk factor

that can cause high cholesterol. Encouraging family member to choose heart-healthy

lifestyles can decrease the risk of being diagnosed with heart attack, stroke and other

forms of cardiovascular disease.

Reference page:

Beill, J. Brill, Ph.D., Cholesterol Down: Ten Simple Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol in

Four WeeksWithout Prescription Drugs. Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony, 2009.

Causes of High Cholesterol. American Heart Assocation, Jul. 5, 2017,

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/CausesofHighCholesterol/Ca

uses-of-High-Cholesterol_UCM_001213_Article.jsp#.Wgsoam-dYcg

Jonny, Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S., and Stephen, Sinatra, M.D., The Great Cholesterol Myth:

Why Lowering Your Cholesterol Wont Prevent Heart Disease-and the Stain-Free Plan

That Will. Fair Winds Press, 2012.

Wardlaw, Gordan M., and Anne M. Smith, Wardlaws Contemporary Nutrition: A

Functional Approach (Mosby Nutrition). 5th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2017.

When high cholesterol is a family affair. Harvard Heart Letter, Sept. 2007,

www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/when-high-cholesterol-is-a-family-affair.