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The Role of Cholesterol
It is important to understand
what cholesterol is and how it is transferred through your system. Elevated
cholesterol levels have unequivocally been linked to heart disease, stroke,
and peripheral vascular disease. Cholesterol is transferred throughout
your body in lipoproteins, which are a combination of fat and protein particles.
There are four types of lipoproteins:
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Chylomicrons -- very little
protein, lots of fats
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Low-density lipoprotein or LDL
-- slightly more protein than chylomicrons, and high fat levels
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Very low-density lipoprotein
or VLDL -- miniscule protein and large amounts of fat
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High density lipoprotein or
HDL -- proportionally more protein than fat
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The VLDL and LDL carry cholesterol
through the walls of your arteries where it is sometimes deposited. This
deposit builds up and may eventually obstruct the blood supply to other
areas of the body.
A diet high in saturated
fats increases the amount of cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins in
your bloodstream, and this is harmful to your health and well-being.
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The HDL have been shown
to help remove cholesterol deposits from arterial walls. So, it is important
to have high levels of HDL in your bloodstream. One way of raising this
HDL level is exercising. Exercising on a regular basis elevates the serum
level of HDL -- that in itself should be enough to get you into an exercise
program! |
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