Learn how to distinguish between bad and bad cholesterol and why cholesterol helps build muscle. For many years, people believed that cholesterol concentration was one of the main indicators of health. At the same time, scientists said that this substance is extremely harmful to the body, and this is what talk about the negative effect of egg yolk on the body is connected with. As you know, it contains a lot of cholesterol.
Now it has been proven that this is not entirely true, although a high concentration of cholesterol has a negative effect on the body. At the same time, this substance is actively used by the body in many biochemical reactions. Note that cholesterol not only enters the body with food, but is also produced by the cellular structures of the liver. For the creation of new cells, cholesterol is an indispensable element. Now we will deal with the question of the relationship between sports and cholesterol, as well as find out the useful and negative properties of the substance.
What is cholesterol?
This substance is a group of lipids and approximately 80 percent of cholesterol is produced in the liver and does not come from food. For the first time, scientists were able to detect cholesterol in gallstones, where it is in a solid state. As we have already said, cholesterol is used as a building block in the synthesis of new cells in all tissues of the body. In addition, cholesterol is also needed for the production of sex hormones.
In the bloodstream, cholesterol travels through the body in the form of two compounds: high density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins. It is very important that these substances are present in the body in a certain ratio, and the concentration of total cholesterol does not exceed the norm. In this case, we can talk about good health. Cholesterol takes an active part in the metabolic processes of cellular structures. It is from this substance that cell membranes are "made", estrogens, cortisol, testosterone are synthesized. In addition, cholesterol is important for the normal functioning of the brain. The substance is also used for the production of bile acids, which are intended for the assimilation of fats.
The negative properties of cholesterol
According to statistical information, almost half of deaths caused by diseases of the heart muscle and vascular system can be associated with high cholesterol concentrations. According to medical reports, very often death occurs due to a low concentration of high density lipoproteins and a high level of low density lipoproteins.
Lipids are fat-like substances found in the body and with the wrong ratio of their concentration, hardening of blood vessels (atherosclerosis) occurs. This disease develops when plaque appears, which is possible with a high concentration of low-density lipoproteins. The more time the plaques develop, the more actively calcium accumulates in them. This results in the following negative effects:
- The vessels begin to constrict, and this leads to myocardial infarction, since oxygen-rich blood does not flow to the heart.
- The unstable plaque breaks loose and can clog the vessel, causing a heart attack.
What are low and high density lipoproteins?
High-density lipoprotein is commonly referred to as good cholesterol due to its ability to remove plaque from the walls of blood vessels. In turn, low density lipoproteins can be called bad, since these substances transfer cholesterol from the liver to the vessels and thereby contribute to the formation of plaques.
LDL is a kind of transport and carries about 75 percent of all cholesterol throughout the body. At the same time, it should be said that sometimes low density lipoproteins are oxidized and their molecules become unstable. It is this cholesterol that poses a health hazard, as it penetrates the blood vessels.
The body has a defense mechanism, the task of which is to fight oxidized cholesterol - antibodies. They are synthesized in large quantities and cause inflammation, which leads to even more serious vascular damage. If we talk about how sports and cholesterol are interrelated, then oxidized lipoproteins help to reduce the concentration of nitric oxide. This is also one of the reasons for the development of various diseases of the vascular system and heart.
High-density lipoproteins can only benefit our body. We have already said that these substances remove plaque from the walls of blood vessels and return cholesterol to the liver. Scientists also discovered the ability of HDL to prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, which allows the vessels to remain clean.
The main reason for the development of atherosclerosis is an increase in the concentration of cholesterol, which we have already discussed above. The most common symptoms of high cholesterol concentration are as follows:
- Pain in the chest (angina pectoris).
- Intermittent chromate is pain in the legs, also known as Charcot's syndrome.
- The appearance under the skin of xanthomas (pinkish-yellow) deposits - most often appear on the tendons of the lower leg or in the eyelids.
Scientists have refuted the popular misconception about the dangers of cholesterol. It was believed that a high concentration of lipids can significantly worsen the state of health and cause the development of atherosclerosis. But now it is certain that a change in the balance of cholesterol, or rather high and low density lipoproteins, is dangerous.
How to lower the concentration of cholesterol?
If the concentration of cholesterol has exceeded the permissible values, and the development of atherosclerosis has begun, then there are several methods of treatment. While these treatments are very effective in lowering cholesterol levels, you should consider a healthy lifestyle as prevention is always easier than cure.
The following information may be useful to those athletes who want to know how sport and cholesterol are related. Several remedies are most commonly used to combat high cholesterol levels.
Statins
These drugs are designed to block the secretion of enzymes involved in the production of cholesterol by the liver. It is statins that are most often used to solve problems with high cholesterol concentrations. These medications are quite effective and with their help lipid levels can be reduced by 60 percent from the initial value. The drugs can lower triglyceride levels while increasing high-density lipoprotein levels. Among the drugs in this group, the following should be noted: Cerivastatin, Fluvastatin and Lovastatin.
Fibric acid
These drugs help to slow down the oxidative reactions to which low-density lipoproteins are exposed. The most effective are: Fenofibrate, Gemfibrozil, and Clofibrate.
Bile acid binding agents
Drugs in this group have the ability to interact with bile acids, which leads to a slowdown in the production of cholesterol in the liver. After statins, these are the second most popular drugs. The most commonly used drugs are Colestipol and Cholesteramine.
We just talked about medications that can solve the problem of high cholesterol concentration. However, there are now supplements that have an equally effective effect on lipid levels. Probably, many builders interested in the question of the relationship between sports and cholesterol, this information will be useful.
Vitamin E
It is one of the most powerful antioxidants and scientists believe it can stop the breakdown of low-density lipoproteins. As a result, plaque will not develop on the vessels.
Omega-3
These fatty acids are able to stop inflammation, slow down the development of blood clots and reduce the concentration of triglycerides. As a result, the risk of atherosclerosis is significantly reduced.
Green tea
Green hour is rich in substances that slow down the development of atherosclerosis. They are called polyphenols and help improve lipid metabolism. It should also be remembered that these polyphenols are also powerful antioxidants.
Garlic
Garlic contains substances that can thin the blood and thereby prevent blood clots. Garlic also has a positive effect on lipoprotein balance. Nutritionists recommend using minced garlic.
Soy protein
Isoflavoins in soy work in a similar way to estrogens and help normalize cholesterol levels. Another substance that is part of soy protein, genistein, has antioxidant properties and thereby prevents the oxidation of low density lipoproteins.
Vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid)
The substance is able to reduce triglycerides and bad cholesterol levels, while increasing the concentration of high density lipoproteins. It should be recognized that vitamin B3 is very effective in combating high cholesterol levels.
Vitamins B6 and B12
A deficiency of these substances can cause an increase in the concentration of homocystine, which negatively affects the work of the heart muscle. By eliminating the lack of these vitamins, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Mikhail Gamanyuk tells more about cholesterol in the following video:
