The one who started talking about cholesterol without interfering HDL and LDL let him cast the first stone. Usually we know that there is “good” and “bad”, but we do not know who is who. And above all, another big question usually arises: good or bad for what?
Their names come from English abbreviations “High Density Lipoproteins” and “Low Density Lipoproteins”. or, what is the same, high- or low-density lipoproteins. This is because cholesterol is a lipid, a molecule known colloquially as fat. But to transport it throughout the body, it requires a type of capsule known as lipoproteins. People with high density transport cholesterol. from cells to liver, where it is processed for removal outside the body. On the other hand, low density people do the opposite way. They transport cholesterol from the liver into cells.
Despite all this, HDL is often referred to colloquially as “good cholesterol” and LDL as “bad cholesterol”. It is true that it is better to have more of this type of fat that is sent to the liver for elimination. In addition, when a lot of LDL is transported into cells, along the way may accumulate in blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, it is important to remember that it is too simplistic to reduce cholesterol levels to something good or bad. In science, especially as it relates to our health, shades of gray are much more common than absolute black and white. Let’s see what we know about cholesterol.
The demonization of fat: a very old story
Fats in general have been demonized for many years. So much so that it contributed to the birth of a fruitful low-fat food business. You see a lot in the dairy sector. Skim milk, very sweet yoghurts, but low-fat low-fat cheeses…
Everything is based on remove fat from milk, but at what cost? There are no studies showing that it is dangerous, but there is a lot of scientific literature about its benefits. For example, the vitamins in milk are fat soluble. That is, they cannot dissolve in water, but they can dissolve in fat. Therefore, if we exclude fat, we take vitamins with her.
Additionally, confusion arises when we eat sweet, low-fat yogurt, thinking that it is the healthiest thing we can consume. We put focus where it doesn’t belong.although not all fats are actually dangerous.
Although the term “fats” can be used colloquially to refer to any lipid, it is primarily used to refer to fatty acid. The basis of its structure is carbon chains connected not only with hydrogens, but also with each other, like links in a metal chain. These carbon-carbon bonds can be single or double. If they are all simple, then this Saturated fats. On the other hand, if there are double bonds, they will unsaturated.
In general, we should increase our intake of unsaturated fats as they are easier to break down. But, even in the case of saturated ones, it largely depends on the food from which they are obtained. For example, it has been observed that those who come from red meat and butter They are the most dangerous.
So what does cholesterol have to do with all this? It should be noted that this is not a fatty acid, but another type of lipid. However, there seem to be some myths O.
Benefits of cholesterol
Cholesterol is a very important molecule. Let’s start with the fact that this is part of the lipids that make up cell membranes. But that is not all. It also interferes with the metabolism of vitamin D, the synthesis of certain hormones and the absorption of calcium, as well as many other physiological processes of great importance.
Therefore, he should not be demonized. It is important that cholesterol enters cells in the form of low-density lipoproteins. Thus, LDL cholesterol is essential.
Myths about cholesterol and statins
David Diamond, a neuroscientist at the University of South Florida, had a blood test that showed high levels of LDL cholesterol. Therefore, his doctor decided to prescribe treatment statinsthe drug most often prescribed in these cases.
They are used because they inhibit an important enzyme in one of the The main pathways for cholesterol synthesis. Enzymes are catalysts for reactions. That is, they reduce the energy required to carry out a reaction so that it can be carried out faster and with less effort. These are a kind of tools without which, in many cases, reactions cannot occur. Therefore, inhibition of one of them, which interferes with cholesterol synthesis, leads to a decrease in the level of this lipid in the blood.
Diamond knew all this; but besides that, he wanted analyze scientific literature O. Gradually, joining other colleagues, he analyzed the research of recent years. 50 years on cholesterol and statins and came to an interesting conclusion. According to him and an international team of scientists whose results were published in 2018, most of the studies demonizing cholesterol and praising statins are significant. methodological errors. In addition, some clinical studies whose results were not consistent with the main hypothesis were excluded. This indicates that this is something that should be studied in more depth.
Knowing this, Diamond improved their cardiovascular risk markers simply through exercise and healthy eating. He was not taking statins; because his risk of developing cardiovascular disease is something much more complex than simply interfering with cholesterol synthesis.
Logically, this does not mean that you should neglect tests and not pay attention if your cholesterol level is very high. But it’s true that we shouldn’t rely on lowering supposed bad cholesterol. Because the lion is not as fierce as he is made out to be, and LDL is not as bad as he is made out to be.
Source: Hiper Textual
