Diet and Coronary Heart Disease Flashcards
What is atherosclerosis and what does it do?
Deposition of fatty acids in the walls of the arteries is known as atherosclerosis. This narrows the lumen of the artery, preventing blood flow, and so consequently oxygen situation.
What does salt do to your body?
Salt: Decreases water potential of the blood, increasing blood pressure, leading to hypertension – where the level of blood pressure is too high – damages inner linings of arteries.
What’s more harmful saturated or unsaturated fats?
Fats (and lipids): Animal fats saturated plant oils unsaturated – saturated fats more harmful.
What are lipoproteins?
Lipoproteins are a combination of lipid, cholesterol and protein to transport fats/cholesterol around.
What is cholesterol used for, and what is its structure?
Cholesterol is used to make sex hormones and bile. Cholesterol is insoluble in water. Cholesterol transported as lipoproteins in the blood. HDLs and LDLs are the two types.
What are LDLs and what do they do?
LDLs are combination of saturated fats, cholesterol and proteins. Carry cholesterol from liver to the tissues. Tissue cells have receptor sites. Too much saturated fat leads to an increase in LDLs – leading to atherosclerosis. Saturated fats decrease LDL receptors. Polyunsaturated/Monounsaturated fats increase the activity of the LDL receptors to increase.
What are HDLs and what do they do?
HDLs are combination of unsaturated fats, cholesterol and protein. Carry cholesterol from body tissues to the liver. Liver cells have receptor sites. HDLs are associated with reducing blood cholesterol levels. Reduce deposition and atherosclerosis, thought to be beneficial as saturated fat, which is the better fat.
