FAT and CHOLESTROL -FACTS and MYTHS.

Fat and Cholesterol are essential component of your body .Its main functions are to produce energy and store it for future use. Protects the brain, maintains cell wall and it’s growth, keeps much needed cholesterol in balance. Needed for the absorption of Vitamin A D and E (fat soluble vitamins). Cholesterol in the brain is involved in the communication process for neurotransmitters, mainly dopamine and serotonin. Myelin sheath of the neuron is made up of it. This fatty covering provides a protective coating on neurons to increase the brain’s processing speed and conduction.

Fat and cholesterol are different in a way, that, Fats are mainly taken by the dietary sources, whereas Cholesterol are mainly produced from the liver and intestines.

Fats are divided as Good / healthy fats and Bad/ or disease causing fats.

Good Fats -They are called good , because of lowering the heart disease and stroke risks. It lowers the bad Cholesterol LDL level-notorious for depositing in arteries and causing plaque formation. It increases the level of heart-friendly HDL cholesterol. They are Monosaturated fats and Poly-unsaturated fats. Example are vegetable oil like olive and canola sunflower, soy and fish oils. Besides pumpkin, seasame oils also come in this category. Chart below depicts about the Good , Bad or very bad fats .

CHOLESTROL FACTS –

Cholesterol is needed to make vitamin D, hormones testosterone and estrogen) . In fact, Liver and intestines make about 80% of the cholesterol to make you healthy. Too low levels of good cholesterol might lead to heart disease and stroke .Both the LDL and HDL kinds are needed in to balance its level.

CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN THE BODY

Total Cholesterol level should be under 200 ,Between 200-239 is borderline high , whereas over 240 is high .HDL ( Good) Cholesterol desirable is 50 or above .Under 40 it is low for men and under 50 low for the women.LDL (Bad type) should be below 130 , 130-159 is borderline high whereas above 160 is high and above 190 is very high. Triglycerides- should be below 160 as normal, 160-199 marginally high. 200-400 is high and above 600 is considered very high and risky.

Satish Tripathi sctri48