Glossary

Wednesday, 02. 11. 1931

Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is produced by animals for a number of different functions in the body. It is the precursor to hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and cortisol. We need cholesterol for the productiion of vitamin D in the body. We also use cholesterol to help bring stability to the cell wall’s that surround each cell in our body. Cholesterol aids in the transport of fatty acids around the body once they have been absorbed.

Atherosclerosis
is a narrowing and harding of the arteries that feed the heart. This leads to decreased nutrients and oxygen delivered to the heart. Over time the narrowing can become so severe that the supply of nutrients and oxygen is insufficient to meet the hearts need. The narrowed artery can also be blocked by clotted blood, which also will cut off the supply of nutrients and oxygen. This can result in a heart attack. Atherosclerosis is the major contributor to both of these diseases, which are the number 1 and number three killers in America today.

Coronary Heart Disease
is essentially a disease of the arteries that feed the heart nutrients and oxygen. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of coronary heart disease. It can lead to chest pain, heart attack, and death. Some of the causes of coronary heart disease are as follows: obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and lack of physical activity.

Cardiovascular Disease
is a term used to describe a number of different diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels). Under this category you will find diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. Cardiovascular disease is the number killer in the world. In the US it kills more than all the types of cancers combined and accounts for 40% of the deaths on record. The term cardiovascular disease is a broad term but usually it is referring to atherosclerosis, a process that damages the arteries of the body. Many of the forms of cardiovascular disease have risk factors that are preventable. These risk factors include obesity, poor diet, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle.

LDL Cholesterol
LDL (low density lipoprotein) is a combination of fat (lipid) and protein. LDL is a carrier for fat and cholesterol. It takes fat and cholesterol from the liver and transports it through the bloodstream. It eventually drops of the fat and cholesterol off at the cells to be utilized. High levels of LDL cholesterol are a major risk factor for coronary heart disease.

HDL Cholesterol
HDL (high density lipoprotein) is a combination of fat (lipid) and protein. HDL carries fat and cholesterol from the cells, through the bloodstream, and to the liver to be metabolized or excreted. Low level of HDL in the blood are an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Triglycerides
Triglyceride is a term that describes a common way fat is found in the body. Triglycerides are three fat molecules attached to another molecule called glycerol. Generally when the term triglycerides is used in your doctor’s office it refers to the amount of fat found in the blood. There is an association between high triglyceride levels and coronary heart disease.

Beta Glucans

Beta glucan is a soluble fiber present in oats. Many studies show that beta glucans from oats are beneficial for lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides. Beta glucans bind to bile in the intestines and carry it out of the body. Bile is the main way we excrete excess cholesterol from the body. Since beta glucan is a fiber it can promote bowel regularity and digestive health. It can also slow the rate at which food is empty from the stomach, which is beneficial for blood sugar levels. Beta glucans have also been studied for immune function.

Soluble Fiber
Fiber can be broken into two main categories, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber mixes together with water and insoluble does not. Soluble fiber, particularly those from oats, can be beneficial for healthy cholesterol levels. Soluble fibers that are viscous, like those from oats, can be beneficial for blood sugar balance. Good bacteria eat soluble fibers and create by-products that are beneficial for feeding the cells of the intestines, muscles, and liver and helping to block cholesterol production.

Bile
Bile is created in the liver and stored in the gall bladder. When fat is in the digestive tract bile is released to help make it more absorbable. Bile is mostly comprised of cholesterol and bile acids. Cholesterol is used to make bile acid, which makes bile that main way to bet rid of excess cholesterol in the body.

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