Chapter 1 the Problem and Its Setting Introduction
CHAPTER 1
The Problem and its Setting
Introduction
Cholesterol is a chemical compound that is naturally produced by the body and is structurally a combination of lipid (fat) and steroids. Cholesterol is a building block for cell membrane and about 80% of the body’s cholesterol is produced by the liver, while the rest comes from our diet. The main sources of diet cholesterol are meat, poultry, fish and dairy products. After meal, dietary cholesterol is absorbed from the intestine and stored in the liver. The liver is able to regulate cholesterol levels in the bloodstream and can secrete cholesterol if it is needed by the body. Benjamin, 2011. When too much LDL, “bad” cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that fed the heart and vein. 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. About one fourth to one third of cholesterol is carried by high density lipoproteins, HDL is known as “good” cholesterol, because high levels of HDL seem to protect the heart. Collins, 2012 A desirable cholesterol level is said as less than 200mg of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Blood cholesterol level is considered a borderline high when it reaches the range of 200-239 mg/dL and considered as high cholesterol when it reaches more than 239 mg/dL. High cholesterol level is considered to be hypercholesterolemia. It is a form of hyperlipidemia and hyperlipoproteinemia Bertram, 2011. Hypercholesterolemia occurs when there’s too much cholesterol. It is characterized by very high levels of cholesterol in the blood. For people who have a high risk of developing a form of heart diseases called coronary artery diseases. Bethesda, 2012. There are some herbal medicines that can lower the cholesterol in the blood. One of them is the “Lato” (Caulerpa lentillifera). It is a kind of edible
The Problem and its Setting
Introduction
Cholesterol is a chemical compound that is naturally produced by the body and is structurally a combination of lipid (fat) and steroids. Cholesterol is a building block for cell membrane and about 80% of the body’s cholesterol is produced by the liver, while the rest comes from our diet. The main sources of diet cholesterol are meat, poultry, fish and dairy products. After meal, dietary cholesterol is absorbed from the intestine and stored in the liver. The liver is able to regulate cholesterol levels in the bloodstream and can secrete cholesterol if it is needed by the body. Benjamin, 2011. When too much LDL, “bad” cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that fed the heart and vein. 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. About one fourth to one third of cholesterol is carried by high density lipoproteins, HDL is known as “good” cholesterol, because high levels of HDL seem to protect the heart. Collins, 2012 A desirable cholesterol level is said as less than 200mg of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Blood cholesterol level is considered a borderline high when it reaches the range of 200-239 mg/dL and considered as high cholesterol when it reaches more than 239 mg/dL. High cholesterol level is considered to be hypercholesterolemia. It is a form of hyperlipidemia and hyperlipoproteinemia Bertram, 2011. Hypercholesterolemia occurs when there’s too much cholesterol. It is characterized by very high levels of cholesterol in the blood. For people who have a high risk of developing a form of heart diseases called coronary artery diseases. Bethesda, 2012. There are some herbal medicines that can lower the cholesterol in the blood. One of them is the “Lato” (Caulerpa lentillifera). It is a kind of edible