Managing Your Cholesterol
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What is Cholesterol?

A waxy substance – technically a sterol (unsaturated steroid
alcohol)

75% of your cholesterol is made in your liver, the rest is absorbed
from food

Cholesterol travels in particles called lipoproteins: high-density
lipoproteins (HDL) and low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL)
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Where does Cholesterol come from?


The Liver

Makes Cholesterol and secretes it into the blood

Regulated by receptors in the liver
Genetics


genetic predisposition for familial hypercholesterolemia
Diet

High saturated fat intake
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Types of Cholesterol

HDL considered the 'good'
cholesterol

LDL considered the ‘bad'
cholesterol

Contains a higher level of protein
than cholesterol

Higher level of cholesterol than
protein

HDLs transport cholesterol from
the tissues of the body to the liver,
so the cholesterol can be
eliminated in the bile.

LDLs tend to stick to damaged or
inflamed areas of blood vessel
walls and form plaque buildup

The higher the LDL cholesterol
level, the higher the risk of
coronary artery disease.

The higher the HDL cholesterol
level, the lower the risk of
coronary artery disease.
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What are Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood

Your body converts any calories it doesn't need to use right away into
triglycerides

Triglycerides are stored in your fat cells

Hormones release triglycerides for energy between meals

Regularly eat more calories than you burn will raise triglycerides and increase
fat storage
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What is the difference between
Cholesterol and Triglycerides?

Recommended rang is below 150.

Triglycerides store unused calories

Cholesterol used build and repair cells

High triglycerides are often a sign obesity and metabolic syndrome

High triglycerides can be a sign of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, low
thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), liver or kidney disease

High triglycerides could also be a side effect of taking medications (beta
blockers, birth control pills, diuretics, steroids or some chemotherapies).
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Why do we need Cholesterol?
Your body uses cholesterol to make:

Vitamin D

sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)

Stress hormones (cortisol)

bile acids for digestion

Contributes to normal membrane function of nerve cells in the
brain

Serves as an antioxidant (Neuroprotective)
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Current Recommendations
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How can we control cholesterol?
Diet:

Minimize sweets and refined carbohydrates (i.e.: white bread, candy).

Excess sugar increases triglyceride levels contributing to cholesterol production.

Increase consumption of healthy fats

Consume carbohydrates with proteins and fats to slow breakdown.


Reduce portion sizes to control calorie intake.


Increases satiety, reduces insulin response
helps maintain normal weight and sugar metabolism
Increase Fiber intake
Exercise:

Physical activity increases cellular energy needs

Increases ration of good to bad cholesterol
Stress Reduction:


Reduces stress hormone (cortisol) response, reducing blood pressure and blood sugar.
Medication and/or supplements
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*same as blood sugar regulation
Healthy Fats
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Hidden Dangers High Cholesterol

The incubation period for this disease can be up to 10 to 20 years.

Metabolic disruptions are present long before physical symptoms.

Reduces overall quality of life feelings of wellbeing.

Accelerates development of other health issues: hypertension,
heart disease, dementia.
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*same as blood sugar regulation
Complications of long term
elevated Cholesterol
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