Cholestral Panel - Assignment Example

Cholesterol Panel Lecturer’s The difference between Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL & LDL cholesterol levels and the significance of each in atheroma formation.Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance that is found in all animals, and it forms an essential part of cells in the body used to make certain hormones. The liver makes cholesterol because certain body cells and organs need it. As well, the body usually gets cholesterol from the food we consume. However, if it is over consumed, it can cause serious damage especially in the arteries (Hayashi & Su, 2010).

The skin contains a special form of cholesterol that possesses the ability of changing into vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. In the blood, cholesterol never dissolves but it has to be transported by carriers in the bloodstream referred to as lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are, however, of two different types that are the low-density lipoproteins abbreviated as LDL and the high-density lipoproteins (HDL). These two lipoproteins together with a fifth of the triglyceride level make up the total cholesterol in the body that is determined by conducting a blood test (Fernandez, 2012).

The low-density lipoproteins are considered as a bad type of cholesterol as it contributes to plaque formation that is a thick hard deposit that clogs the arteries making them less flexible. The medical condition is referred to as atherosclerosis that can result in a stroke or a heart attack. If blockage takes place in an artery, that supply’s the legs, peripheral artery disease results. Thus, LDL levels needs to be low and they are controlled by avoiding foods that are highly saturated in fat, dietary cholesterol and excess calories, increasing exercise levels as well as maintain a healthy weight (Steinberg & Witztum, 2010).

On the other hand, the high-density lipoproteins are considered as good cholesterol as it helps LDL removal especially from the arteries and back to the liver. Thus, it acts as a scavenger as it protects against stroke or a heart occurrence that the LDL levels increase (Sala, Catapano, & Norata, 2012). The levels of HDL in the body should always be high as possible and this can be achieved by avoiding saturated fat foods, decreasing the body weight among the obese and regular exercising for at least 20 minutes in three times every week.

Triglycerides are another fat type in the body used in the storage of excess energy from the diet. Increased levels of triglycerides in the body is associated with increased risk or atheroma formation and is often as a result obesity and overweight, cigarette smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol, physical inactivity and intake of food high in carbohydrates. The lipid levels that can be influence by modifying you’re eating and exercise habitsDiet modification, lifestyle modification and physical activity are important factors in controlling the amount of triglycerides in the body.

Other causes of increased triglycerides levels are genetic and medical conditions such as kidney diseases, diabetes, liver disease and hypothyroidism. Often, individuals with high triglycerides levels have high total cholesterol levels including high amounts of low-density lipoproteins and decreased amounts of high-level lipoproteins predisposing them to atheroma formation (Fernandez, 2012). In conclusion, it is important to control the diet, perform regular exercise and modify the lifestyle in an effort of reducing the amount of LDL in the body, reduce triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in the body and increase the amounts of HDL.

ReferencesFernandez, M. L. (2012). Rethinking dietary cholesterol. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. doi:10.1097/MCO.0b013e32834d2259Hayashi, T., & Su, T. (2010). Cholesterol Binding and Cholesterol Transport Proteins: Cholesterol Binding and Cholesterol Transport … (Vol. 51, pp. 381–398). Sala, F., Catapano, A. L., & Norata, G. D. (2012). High density lipoproteins and atherosclerosis: Emerging aspects. Journal of Geriatric Cardiology. doi:10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.12282Steinberg, D.

, & Witztum, J. L. (2010). Oxidized low-density lipoprotein and atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 30, 2311–2316.