Example Of Essay On Cholesterol and Obesity

Cholesterol is a fat that is needed to build cells, certain hormones and bile acids. Cholesterol synthesis is determined genetically, without it the body cannot fully function, but an excess can have the opposite, negative effect. After the growth of the organism is finished and the cells do not divide so rapidly, cholesterol continues to be synthesized by the liver in the same size. Moreover, a large part of the cholesterol is synthesized in the liver, while smaller part comes with the food.
Fats in general and cholesterol in particular will not dissolve in blood, so to transport them little blobs of cholesterol surround by protein layer, resulting in the formation cholesterol-protein complexes (lipoproteins). There is cholesterol of low-density lipoproteins and cholesterol of high density lipoproteins in equilibrium with each other.
The low density lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol in different parts of the human body, cholesterol can be deposited in the wall of the blood vessels, which over time, leads to compaction and narrowing (atherosclerosis). Therefore, cholesterol of low-density lipoproteins is called "bad".
High density lipoproteins (HDL) carry excess cholesterol to the liver, where it enters the intestine and leaves the body. In this regard, cholesterol of high-density lipoproteins is called "good".
Some time ago, it was believed that all cholesterol is harmful, even diet with a complete lack of cholesterol were created. But then, by monitoring people on a cholesterol diet, had determined that everything is good in moderation. The complete absence of cholesterol is also bad for the body, as well as its excess. After all, cholesterol normalizes membrane permeability of cell membranes, involved in the synthesis of vitamin D, sex hormones and certain hormones of the adrenal glands. If it is not in the body, hormonal disturbance occurs and also disturbance of cellular metabolism, which leads to various diseases.
Basically, cholesterol is synthesized in the body from proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and only 0.3 — 0.5 g supplied with food. All cells, except erythrocytes, have the ability to synthesize cholesterol, but the bulk is synthesized in the liver. The body of the average person synthesizes 1 g of cholesterol every day, while only 20% is synthesized in the cells and 80% is in the liver. It is established that the cholesterol, which is synthesized in the body is more soluble and less hazardous to human health than food.
If the blood accumulates excess of cholesterol, then it gets to the wall of the vessel, penetrates the inner shell. As normally it should not be here, macrophages are created in this place. These are blood cells that want to destroy cholesterol. When there is too much of cholesterol, the macrophages are unable to destroy all his stock. And then in the vascular wall inflammation develops. Around cholesterol with macrophages grows connective (scar) tissue and forms atherosclerotic plaque. It narrows the vessel lumen and impedes blood flow through it.
The main route of cholesterol oxidation with subsequent excretion from the body is the formation of bile acids. For this purpose goes from 60 to 80% of the daily formed in the body of cholesterol. The second way of conversion of cholesterol is the formation of steroid hormones (sex hormones, hormones of the adrenal cortex, etc.). For this purpose, it takes only 2 -4 % of cholesterol produced in the body. Another way of disposing of cholesterol is formation of it in the skin from the ultraviolet rays of vitamin D3.
Approximately 1 mg of cholesterol is excreted every day in our organism. Exfoliating from the epithelium of the skin is lost even before the 100 mg of cholesterol per day. Thus, if the person does not consume products with a high content of cholesterol, then he has the number coming from outside and which is synthesized in the liver is approximately equal to the amount excreted from the body. And then the vascular wall is clean, and the cell membranes do not accumulate excess cholesterol. After all, the aging of cell membranes is caused by the accumulation of cholesterol. With the accumulation of permeability of cell membranes is reduced, also reduced their sensitivity to hormones and biologically active substances. For example, the accumulation of cholesterol in the erythrocyte membrane impairs the process of transport of oxygen and sampling carbon dioxide from the tissues. The accumulation of cholesterol in lymphocytes leads to reduced immunity.
In conclusion, we should admit that high level of cholesterol in the blood can really provoke the development of atherosclerosis; however, it mainly depends on each and every organism. The ratio of LDL and HDL has an effect on the level of cholesterol in the blood stream, as well as the capture rate of cholesterol by cells.
On this background, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes in adults, the disease the thyroid gland, chronic renal failure, gallstone disease, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are the main factors, which cause rising in the concentration of LDL.