Transcript Truth behind Cholesterol

Khady Guiro
C2PRISM
NJIT
Outline
 Simulation 1: Eating & Exercise
 Introduction
 What is Cholesterol?
 Why Cholesterol matters?
 Atherosclerosis
 Simulation 2: Algodoo
 Lab activity
Eat and Exercise Simulation
 http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/eating-and-
exercise
Facts about Cholesterol
 It may surprise you to know that cholesterol itself isn't bad.
 In fact, cholesterol is just one of the many substances
created and used by our bodies to keep us healthy.
 Some of the cholesterol we need is produced naturally (and
can be affected by your family health history), while some of it
comes from the food we eat.
 There are two types of cholesterol: "good" and "bad." It's
important to understand the difference, and to know the
levels of "good" and "bad" cholesterol in your blood.
 Too much of one type — or not enough of another — can put
you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
What is cholesterol?
 Cholesterol is a fatty substance, which is essential to
healthy life.
 It is found in the brain, nervous tissue, skin and adrenal
glands.
 It has three main functions within the body:
 It is used in the structure of all cell membranes
 It is used to manufacture hormones and vitamin D within
the body
 It is used to produce bile acids which aid the digestion
and absorption of fats in the diet.
 Cholesterol is made mainly in the liver but it is also present
in saturated fat found in meat, dairy products, and many
processed foods.
Illustration
•http://www.themedifastplan.com/wpcontent/uploads/2011/05/cholesterol-image.jpg
Sources of Cholesterol
 Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and
food.
 75 % of blood cholesterol made by your liver and other
cells in your body.
 The other 25 %comes from the foods you eat. Cholesterol
is only found in animal products.
 A cholesterol screening measures your level of "good"
and “bad”.
Good vs Bad
 Cholesterol can't dissolve in the blood. It has to be
transported to and from the cells by carriers called
lipoproteins.
 Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as "bad"
cholesterol.
 High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as "good"
cholesterol.
 These two types of lipids, along with triglycerides and
Lp(a) cholesterol, make up your total cholesterol count,
which can be determined through a blood test.
 High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
 "good" cholesterol. They get their good name because they are
thought to carry cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver,
where the body can eliminate it.
 So it's better for your HDL to be higher.
 Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
 "bad" cholesterol. You don't want too many low-density
lipoproteins to build up in your arteries.
 form plaque, which can restrict blood flow to your heart or brain.
 That's why you want your LDL to be lower.
 Triglycerides (trigs)
 They're produced in the liver and also come from foods that you eat.
 High levels of trigs can contribute to the hardening and narrowing of
arteries, making it harder for blood to flow.
 That's one reason why you want your trigs to be lower.
Why cholesterol matters?
 High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary
heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
 When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build
up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain.
 Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can
narrow the arteries and make them less flexible.
 This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a
narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke can result.
 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.
 Your cholesterol level can be affected by your age, gender, family health
history and diet.
http://www.nwabr.org/studentbiotech/winners/studentwork/2007/WB_SW_Fernandes/web_page/Page8.
html
Cholesterol and your arteries
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/Cholesterol_UCM_001089_SubHomePage.jsp
Cholesterol management Plan
 Eat healthy Diet
Diets with too much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol are causes of unhealthy
cholesterol levels.
 Instead, choose a heart-healthy diet rich in: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, highfiber foods, poultry (with the skin removed), lean meats and fish, fat-free or low-fat dairy
products

 Get regular exercise
 Not being physically active contributes to being
overweight and can raise bad cholesterol (LDL) and
triglycerides and lower good cholesterol (HDL).
 Manage your weight
 Losing extra pounds may help lower your bad cholesterol
and fatty triglycerides and raise your good cholesterol.
Conclusion
References
 http://www.beltina.org/health-dictionary/cholesterol-blood-
levels-ldl-hdl-normal-high.html
 http://www.zetia.com/ezetimibe/zetia/consumer/understanding_
cholesterol/ldl-bad-cholesterolbasics.jsp?WT.mc_id=E03GV&src=2
 http://www.crestor.com/c/your-arteries/managecholesterol.aspx
 http://www.trilipix.com/CholesterolAndYou/Default.aspx?s_m
cid=google-trilipix-branded