Waterford, MI Dentist
Lloyd H. Alpert, D.D.S.
4025 Highland Road
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 682-6010

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Posts for tag: Cholesterol

April 04, 2013
Category: Dental News
Tags: Cholesterol  

While Cholesterol is necessary for certain biochemical reactions in the human body, it can also wreck havoc with your circulatory system contributing to atherosclerosis or a thickening of the arteries from a build up of plaque. This in turn can lead to heart disease and/or strokes.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work the right way, and it makes all the cholesterol you need. You use cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Cholesterol is also found in some of the foods you eat.

Blood is watery and cholesterol is fatty, and just like oil and water, the two do not mix. In order to travel in the bloodstream, cholesterol is carried in small packages called lipoproteins. The small packages are made of fat (lipid) on the inside and proteins on the outside. Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout your body. It is important to have healthy levels of both.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is sometimes called "bad" cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol leads to a buildup of cholesterol in arteries. The higher the LDL level in your blood, the greater chance you have for getting heart disease.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is sometimes called "good" cholesterol. HDL carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. The liver removes the cholesterol from your body. The higher your HDL cholesterol level, the lower your chance of getting heart disease. 

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