Cholesterol: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Running Head: CHOLESTEROL, THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY!
Cholesterol, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!
Kimberly Reed
SC121- Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Unit 2 Assignment
Professor Glenn Huff
Cholesterol, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly! 1
Lipids are fats and fatty substances that serve as a source of fuel in the body and are important to cell structure. Lipid consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Lipids are important because they limit water and water soluble substances from passing through the membrane, which keeps the contents of the cell separated from the outside environment (Funk& Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 2014). Lipids consists of triglycerides, …show more content…
phospholipids, steroids, eicosanoids, and the simplest; fatty acids.
Fatty acids are the group of lipids that are used to synthesize triglycerides and phospholipids. The body can produce some essential fatty acids (EFA’s), but most has to be gained by food intake. Fatty acids can assist in the increase of exercise and performance ability. There are two fatty acids that are essential for our health: Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The benefits of Omega-3 are that through proper nutrition, become protection and prevention for the body and is beneficial for physical and mental health. Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for health but only in moderation. There are three benefits of Omega-6 acids; important in cell growth which helps brain and muscle development, helps in the production of hormone messengers, and transmits nerve impulses ( Manea, Buldus, & Tache, 2014).
Cholesterol, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! 2
Another type of lipid is cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a compound important in the production of sex hormones, steroids, cell membranes, and bile acids. Cholesterol is produced in the body and is in contained in foods that have animal fats. Cholesterol is transported by lipoproteins, which can be dissolved in the body. There are two types of lipoproteins; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The LDL (referred to as “bad” cholesterol) transports cholesterol to the tissue and deposits it on the walls of the arteries. High levels of LDL have been associated with arthrosclerosis, which may lead to coronary artery disease. HDL (referred to as “good” cholesterol) removes cholesterol from the tissues and transports it to the liver to be released in the bile. When the body has an unbalance in cholesterol, it then is considered as high cholesterol.
There are many causes of high cholesterol. Heredity, weight, and physical activity can cause a person to have high cholesterol. Heredity influences how the body responds to LDL, excessive weight may increase LDL, and physical activity may raise HDL. The age and sex of a person can also determine cholesterol levels. Alcohol use (excessive use) and mental stress can also raise cholesterol levels. There are several ways that a person can lower their cholesterol naturally. Natural treatments include eating better, lose excessive weight and exercise daily (EMedicine Health, 2014).
Cholesterol, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!
3
High cholesterol can also be treated from medications prescribed by a physician, but may come with some side effects. Side effects include headache, difficulty sleeping, flushing of the skin, muscle aches, tenderness or weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, stomach cramps, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and rash. If a person starts to eat healthier, exercise daily, and lose excess weight, the benefits will be greater than taking prescribed medication that only leads to discomfort in the body. When cholesterol levels are at a controlled state, the body will develop cholesterol homeostasis.
Cholesterol homeostasis is anything that helps the process of keeping an equal state of cholesterol within a living organism. The liver controls cholesterol homeostasis by breaking down harmful cholesterol in the bloodstream. If function in cholesterol homeostasis is upset, it can risk of heart disease as well as dysfunctions of other feedback systems (Wise Geek, 2014).
The following is an experiment done to see if there is a significant change in calories and total fat in reduced/ low fat cookies and chips vs. regular cookies and chips.
Cholesterol, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! 4
Experiment 1: Reduced Fat Lays Potato Chips vs. Lays Potato Chips
Reduced Fat Regular
Calories- 140g 160g
Total Fat- 7g 10g
Experiment 2: Reduced Fat Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies vs. Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Reduced Fat Regular
Calories-140g 160g
Total Fat- 5g 8g
In this experiment the calorie intake had a significant difference of about 12% in both of the products, but the total fat really did not have a significant change at all. I would choose to go with the reduced fat products because the calorie intake has dropped and so has the total fat. Eating healthier will lower high cholesterol.
References
Lipids. (2014). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 1p.1.
Manea, M.C., Buldus, C., & Tache, S. (2014). The Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Diet. Palestricia of the Third Millenium Civilization & Sport, 15(2), 131-133.
EMedicine Health. (2014). High Cholesterol. Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/highcholesterol/page2_em.htm
Wise Geek. (2014). What is Cholesterol Homeostasis?. Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-cholesterol-homeostasis.htm
Frito Lay. (2014). Lays Reduced Fat Potato Chips. Retrieved from http://www.fritolay.com/snacks/lays-reduced-fat-original.html
About.Com. (2014). Chips Ahoy Reduced Fat- Calorie Count. Retrieved from http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-chips-ahoy-reduced-i82512
Cholesterol, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!
Kimberly Reed
SC121- Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Unit 2 Assignment
Professor Glenn Huff
Cholesterol, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly! 1
Lipids are fats and fatty substances that serve as a source of fuel in the body and are important to cell structure. Lipid consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Lipids are important because they limit water and water soluble substances from passing through the membrane, which keeps the contents of the cell separated from the outside environment (Funk& Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 2014). Lipids consists of triglycerides, …show more content…
phospholipids, steroids, eicosanoids, and the simplest; fatty acids.
Fatty acids are the group of lipids that are used to synthesize triglycerides and phospholipids. The body can produce some essential fatty acids (EFA’s), but most has to be gained by food intake. Fatty acids can assist in the increase of exercise and performance ability. There are two fatty acids that are essential for our health: Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The benefits of Omega-3 are that through proper nutrition, become protection and prevention for the body and is beneficial for physical and mental health. Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for health but only in moderation. There are three benefits of Omega-6 acids; important in cell growth which helps brain and muscle development, helps in the production of hormone messengers, and transmits nerve impulses ( Manea, Buldus, & Tache, 2014).
Cholesterol, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! 2
Another type of lipid is cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a compound important in the production of sex hormones, steroids, cell membranes, and bile acids. Cholesterol is produced in the body and is in contained in foods that have animal fats. Cholesterol is transported by lipoproteins, which can be dissolved in the body. There are two types of lipoproteins; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The LDL (referred to as “bad” cholesterol) transports cholesterol to the tissue and deposits it on the walls of the arteries. High levels of LDL have been associated with arthrosclerosis, which may lead to coronary artery disease. HDL (referred to as “good” cholesterol) removes cholesterol from the tissues and transports it to the liver to be released in the bile. When the body has an unbalance in cholesterol, it then is considered as high cholesterol.
There are many causes of high cholesterol. Heredity, weight, and physical activity can cause a person to have high cholesterol. Heredity influences how the body responds to LDL, excessive weight may increase LDL, and physical activity may raise HDL. The age and sex of a person can also determine cholesterol levels. Alcohol use (excessive use) and mental stress can also raise cholesterol levels. There are several ways that a person can lower their cholesterol naturally. Natural treatments include eating better, lose excessive weight and exercise daily (EMedicine Health, 2014).
Cholesterol, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!
3
High cholesterol can also be treated from medications prescribed by a physician, but may come with some side effects. Side effects include headache, difficulty sleeping, flushing of the skin, muscle aches, tenderness or weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, stomach cramps, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and rash. If a person starts to eat healthier, exercise daily, and lose excess weight, the benefits will be greater than taking prescribed medication that only leads to discomfort in the body. When cholesterol levels are at a controlled state, the body will develop cholesterol homeostasis.
Cholesterol homeostasis is anything that helps the process of keeping an equal state of cholesterol within a living organism. The liver controls cholesterol homeostasis by breaking down harmful cholesterol in the bloodstream. If function in cholesterol homeostasis is upset, it can risk of heart disease as well as dysfunctions of other feedback systems (Wise Geek, 2014).
The following is an experiment done to see if there is a significant change in calories and total fat in reduced/ low fat cookies and chips vs. regular cookies and chips.
Cholesterol, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! 4
Experiment 1: Reduced Fat Lays Potato Chips vs. Lays Potato Chips
Reduced Fat Regular
Calories- 140g 160g
Total Fat- 7g 10g
Experiment 2: Reduced Fat Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies vs. Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Reduced Fat Regular
Calories-140g 160g
Total Fat- 5g 8g
In this experiment the calorie intake had a significant difference of about 12% in both of the products, but the total fat really did not have a significant change at all. I would choose to go with the reduced fat products because the calorie intake has dropped and so has the total fat. Eating healthier will lower high cholesterol.
References
Lipids. (2014). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 1p.1.
Manea, M.C., Buldus, C., & Tache, S. (2014). The Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Diet. Palestricia of the Third Millenium Civilization & Sport, 15(2), 131-133.
EMedicine Health. (2014). High Cholesterol. Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/highcholesterol/page2_em.htm
Wise Geek. (2014). What is Cholesterol Homeostasis?. Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-cholesterol-homeostasis.htm
Frito Lay. (2014). Lays Reduced Fat Potato Chips. Retrieved from http://www.fritolay.com/snacks/lays-reduced-fat-original.html
About.Com. (2014). Chips Ahoy Reduced Fat- Calorie Count. Retrieved from http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-chips-ahoy-reduced-i82512