Truth Behind Cholesterol

1. Truth Behind Cholesterol Khady Guiro C2PRISM NJIT

2. Outline • Simulation 1: Eating & Exercise • Introduction • What is Cholesterol? • Why Cholesterol matters? • Atherosclerosis • Simulation 2: Algodoo • Lab activity

3. Eat and Exercise Simulation • http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/eating-and-exercise

4. Facts about Cholesterol • It may surprise you to know that cholesterol itself isn't bad. • In fact, cholesterol is just one of the many substances created and used by our bodies to keep us healthy. • Some of the cholesterol we need is produced naturally (and can be affected by your family health history), while some of it comes from the food we eat. • There are two types of cholesterol: "good" and "bad." It's important to understand the difference, and to know the levels of "good" and "bad" cholesterol in your blood. • Too much of one type — or not enough of another — can put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

5. What is cholesterol? • Cholesterol is a fatty substance, which is essential to healthy life. • It is found in the brain, nervous tissue, skin and adrenal glands. • It has three main functions within the body: • It is used in the structure of all cell membranes • It is used to manufacture hormones and vitamin D within the body • It is used to produce bile acids which aid the digestion and absorption of fats in the diet. • Cholesterol is made mainly in the liver but it is also present in saturated fat found in meat, dairy products, and many processed foods.

6. Illustration • http://www.themedifastplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/cholesterol-image.jpg

7. Sources of Cholesterol • Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and food. • 75 % of blood cholesterol made by your liver and other cells in your body. • The other 25 %comes from the foods you eat. Cholesterol is only found in animal products. • A cholesterol screening measures your level of "good" and “bad”.

8. Good vs Bad • Cholesterol can't dissolve in the blood. It has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. • Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as "bad" cholesterol. • High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as "good" cholesterol. • These two types of lipids, along with triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol, make up your total cholesterol count, which can be determined through a blood test.

9. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) • "good" cholesterol. They get their good name because they are thought to carry cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver, where the body can eliminate it. • So it's better for your HDL to be higher. • Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) • "bad" cholesterol. You don't want too many low-density lipoproteins to build up in your arteries. • form plaque, which can restrict blood flow to your heart or brain. • That's why you want your LDL to be lower. • Triglycerides (trigs) • They're produced in the liver and also come from foods that you eat. • High levels of trigs can contribute to the hardening and narrowing of arteries, making it harder for blood to flow. • That's one reason why you want your trigs to be lower.

10. Why cholesterol matters? • High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. • When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. • Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. • This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke can result. • High blood cholesterol: As blood cholesterol rises, so does risk of coronary heart disease. When other risk factors (such as high blood pressure and tobacco smoke) are present, this risk increases. • Your cholesterol level can be affected by your age, gender, family health history and diet.

11. http://www.nwabr.org/studentbiotech/winners/studentwork/2007/WB_SW_Fernandes/web_page/Page8.htmlhttp://www.nwabr.org/studentbiotech/winners/studentwork/2007/WB_SW_Fernandes/web_page/Page8.html

12. Cholesterol and your arteries http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/Cholesterol_UCM_001089_SubHomePage.jsp

13. Cholesterol management Plan • Eat healthy Diet • Diets with too much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol are causes of unhealthy cholesterol levels. • Instead, choose a heart-healthy diet rich in: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, high-fiber foods, poultry (with the skin removed), lean meats and fish, fat-free or low-fat dairy products • Get regular exercise • Not being physically active contributes to being overweight and can raise bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides and lower good cholesterol (HDL). • Manage your weight • Losing extra pounds may help lower your bad cholesterol and fatty triglycerides and raise your good cholesterol.

14. Conclusion

15. References • http://www.beltina.org/health-dictionary/cholesterol-blood-levels-ldl-hdl-normal-high.html • http://www.zetia.com/ezetimibe/zetia/consumer/understanding_cholesterol/ldl-bad-cholesterol-basics.jsp?WT.mc_id=E03GV&src=2 • http://www.crestor.com/c/your-arteries/manage-cholesterol.aspx • http://www.trilipix.com/CholesterolAndYou/Default.aspx?s_mcid=google-trilipix-branded