Unit 1: Cholesterol Levels In The Body
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What are the 2 functions of Cholesterol
Used to make sex hormones Basic component of cell membrane
What makes cholesterol
Made by all cells although 25% is made in the liver from saturated fats
What must cholesterol combine with in order to be transported around the body
Lipoproteins
What are the 2 types of lipoproteins
High density lipoproteins (HDLs) Low density lipoproteins (LDLs)
What do HDLs do
Transports excess cholesterol from body cells to liver for elimination preventing high levels of cholesterol building up
What are HDLs known as
Good cholesterol
What are LDLs known for
Bad cholesterol
What do LDLs do
Transport cholesterol from liver to body cells
What do most body cells have
LDL receptors that take LDL into the cell where it releases cholesterol
What happens once a body cell has an adequate supply of cholesterol
Negitive feedback inhibits synthesis of new LDL receptors therefore reducing the amount of LDL-cholesterol taken into cells so is left circulating the blood where it may deposit cholesterol in the arteries forming atheromas
Why does HDL-cholesterol not contribute to atherosclerosis
Beacuse it isn’t taken into endothelial walls
What are LDLs associated with
The formation of plaques/atheromas
What will a higher ratio of HLD to LDL result in
Result in lower blood cholesterol and a reduced change of atherosclerosis and CVD
What can increase HDL levels
Regular exercise and a low saturated fat diet
How can cholesterol levels be reduced (treatments)
By medications called statins
What do statins do
Inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol