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Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance
found in the bloodstream and in all your body's
cells.
The cholesterol in a person's body originates from
two major sources, dietary intake and production
in the liver.
When fatty foods are ingested the cholesterol
particles from the food enter the small intestine.
The luminal surface of the small intestine is
covered by small projections called villi, which
absorb the cholesterol particles and transport
them into the blood stream.
The cells in the liver use an enzyme called HMG Co
A Reductase for synthesizing cholesterol.
Cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood but is
carried to the cells via lipoproteins, Low-density
lipoproteins - LDL and High-density lipoproteins -
HDL. Excessive LDL can clog arteries causing
heart-attacks or strokes. HDL is generated by the
body to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream
and reduces the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Statins are the most widely used medication for
lowering cholesterol.
These are HMG Co A Reductase inhibitors that
reduce the body's internal cholesterol production. |
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