Lipo what?

Hello!

I have finally returned from my vacation in Texas, which thanks the the hurricane, was extended by four days, but I can't complain. However, I would like to apologize to my readers for the delay this week.  A simple login error has kept me from being able to post this last blog, but better late than never so again, I apologize.

Today I would like to address something that almost every person above the age of 18 is aware of; cholesterol.  It seems that, although many people suffer from high cholesterol (LDL family) the big push today is to eliminate cholesterol altogether to alleviate the situation.  The problem with this is aside from the fact that it is produced naturally in the body, cholesterol (HDLs) actually have many important functions and benefits for the body.

First let us understand what cholesterol is.  Cholesterol is a fatty steroid.  It is produced in the body of all mammals and of course is obtained through animal consumption for multiple essential functions including:  Hormone and vitamin D synthesis, bile formation and membrane support.  Cholesterol is transported through the circulatory system via lipoproteins.  These ipoproteins act as a taxi cab in the body, since cholesterol is insoluble or unable to dissolve in the blood, they need to hitch a ride.  There are two major types of the lipoproteins: HDL's and LDL's.

LDL: Low density lipoprotein.  These are the bad guys.  When we have too many LDLs in our body, they prevent the uptake of themselves (actually the prevent the formation of the receptors of LDLs) and begin to float around in the bloodstream.  When they are left unchecked they attach themselves to the walls of the blood vessels forming plaque or clogging the arteries leading to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

The effects of plaque formation on blood flow

HDL: High density lipoprotein.  These are the good guys.  These HDLs essentially kick out the LDLs to try and prevent the formation of plaque and thus, reduce heart attacks and strokes.

We know that we are supposed to keep out cholesterol in check.   Having a higher concentration of HDLs is ideal while of course keeping your LDLs lower. 200mg/dL is what many physicians shoot for total cholesterol having around 100mg/dL of LDLs and 60mg/dL of HDLs.  Basically it is what the doctor says "you need to get your LDLs down and keep you HDLS up"

If we eliminated the consumption of animal products LDLs would still be formed in the body, however most Americans get the majority of their LDLs from saturated fats and animal cholesterol, which is why your doctor will recommend reducing eating fatty foods.  The downside to the "down with cholesterol" campaign is that having too few of those HDLs can actually lead to adverse affects such as increased risk to a heart attack. So where dose that leave us?

For general purposes we should all pay attention to how much saturated fat we consume as well as outside sources of cholesterol.  To do this I have always followed a simple rule of thumb; if it had a face, it has cholesterol. Cows are obvious, but when you drink milk or eat butter and cheese, think about the fact that those are by products of the cow (or whatever animal it came from), which had a face at some point and thus, has cholesterol.  Chicken, of course, but remember eggs come from them and the chicken that it came form had a face.  This could become a very long paragraph, but I think you get the point. Even fish and insects have cholesterol.

The key is to moderate the amount of face products we consume.  Reducing the amount of actual meat we eat is generally the number one rule of thumb. When you are getting ready to eat your baked potato, try not to drown it in butter.  Melting cheese on foods, especially meats that already have high amounts of fat and cholesterol is a no brainer.  Use the "rule of face" instead of the rule of thumb principle and you should be able to make a decision as to whether or not something has cholesterol in it.  Preventing you from consuming those foods is another topic, but now you have a little knowledge and a simple system to help guide you on your choices.  Every little bit helps to ask the face question the next time you sit down to eat and you may realize that you consume a little too much outside cholesterol than you thought.

"If you can dream it you can do it"- Walt Disney

*I am not a registered nutritionist or dietitian. The information presented is for education purposes only.


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