Cholesterol and triglycerides are important fats (lipids) in the blood. Cholesterol is an essential component of cell membranes, brain and nerve cells, and bile, which helps the body absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins. The body uses cholesterol to make vitamin D and various hormones, such as estrogen.

Fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, cannot circulate freely in the blood, because blood is mostly water. To be able to circulate in blood, cholesterol and triglycerides are packaged with proteins and other substances to form particles called lipoproteins.

There are different types of lipoproteins. Each type has a different purpose and is broken down and excreted in a slightly different way. Lipoproteins include chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Cholesterol transported by LDL is called LDL cholesterol, and cholesterol transported by HDL is called HDL cholesterol.

Abnormal levels of lipids (especially cholesterol) can lead to long-term problems, such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Generally, a high total cholesterol level (which includes LDL, HDL, and VLDL cholesterol) or a high level of LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol increases the risk of atherosclerosis and thus the risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol.

Physical inactive lifestyle is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Regular, moderate to vigorous physical activity helps prevent heart and blood vessel disease. The more vigorous the activity, the greater your benefits.

However, even moderate intensity activities help if done regularly and long term. Exercise can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, as well as help lower blood pressure in some people. Click Here to learn the psychological reason why most people sabotage themselves. Just when their diets are beginning to work and how to make sure this never happen to you.

Many people at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).Cholesterol disorders are common among people without CVD. Studies have shown proper treatment of cholesterol disorders can reduce the risk of developing heart disease by about 30 percent over five years.

High blood cholesterol as blood cholesterol rises, so does risk of coronary heart disease. When other risk factors (such as high blood pressure and tobacco smoke) are present, this risk increases even more. A person’s cholesterol level is also affected by age, sex, heredity and diet.

Diabetes seriously increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Even when glucose levels are under control, diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, but the risks are even greater if blood sugar is not well controlled. About 1/3 of people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease. If you have diabetes, it’s extremely important to work with your healthcare provider to manage it and control any other risk factors you can.

High blood pressure increases the heart’s workload, causing the heart to thicken and become stiffer. It also increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure. When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases several times. To learn the truth about how much cardio you really need to lose fat and when you should do it for maximum impact.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, December 7th, 2006 at 1:04 pm and is filed under Burn Fat. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.