Cholesterol Flashcards
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy fat like substance found in all animal foods and humans, there is no cholesterol in plants
What can raise blood cholesterol levels?
- dietary cholesterol
- saturated fat
- trans fat
What is the term for raised blood cholesterol levels?
Atherosclerosis
How much cholesterol should one be consuming a day?
300mg or less
What are the types of cholesterol?
HDL and LDL cholesterol
What is HDL cholesterol?
High-density lipoprotein is ‘good’ cholesterol
What does HDL cholesterol do?
It takes excess cholesterol from the blood back to the liver (basically clears the surplus)
How do quantities of HDL affect one’s health?
The lower the HDL, the higher the risk of heart disease.
The higher the HDL, the lower the risk of heart disease.
What is LDL cholesterol?
Low-density lipoprotein is ‘bad’ cholesterol
Where is LDL cholesterol found?
LDL cholesterol is found in fatty deposits in the arteries
What does LDL cholesterol do?
It contributes to heart disease by narrowing the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
What is the narrowing of the arteries called?
Arteriosclerosis
