Chicago Metropolitan Area
The Basics of Cholesterol
Have you been diagnosed with high cholesterol? Is lowering your cholesterol a goal? The first step is to find out: What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver and other cells and found in certain foods, such as food from animals, like dairy products, eggs, and meat.
The body needs some cholesterol in order to function properly. Its cell walls, or membranes, need cholesterol in order to produce hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. But the body needs only a limited amount of cholesterol to meet its needs. When too much is present health problems such as heart disease may develop.
Cholesterol and Heart Disease
When too much cholesterol is present, plaque (a thick, hard deposit) may form in the body's arteries narrowing the space for blood to flow to the heart. Over time, this buildup causes atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) which can lead to heart disease.
When not enough oxygen-carrying blood reaches the heart chest pain -- called angina -- can result. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing.
Local Search Results in Chicago
- Medicaid Expansion May Help Wallets, Mental HealthYet no clear evidence the program improves diabetes, high-blood pressure, other ills, at least in early years of enrollmentWebMD News from HealthDay
- Nutrition TherapyNutrition Screening and Assessment Nutrition in cancer care embodies prevention of disease,treatment,cure,or supportive palliation. Caution should be exercised when considering alternative or unproven nutritional therapies during all phases of cancer treatment and supportive palliation,as these diets may prove harmful. Patient nutritional status plays an integral role in determining not ...WebMD Public Information from the National Cancer Institute
- Tumor-Induced Effects on Nutritional StatusNutritional status can be compromised in direct response to tumor-induced alterations in metabolism. Also known as cachexia,this condition is one of advanced protein-calorie malnutrition and is characterized by involuntary weight loss,muscle wasting,and decreased quality of life.[ 1,2 ] Tumor-induced weight loss occurs frequently in patients with solid tumors of the lung,pancreas,and ...WebMD Public Information from the National Cancer Institute
- Nutrition Implications of Cancer TherapiesThe nutritional status of patients diagnosed with cancer entering the treatment process varies. Not everyone begins therapy with anorexia,weight loss,and other symptoms of nutritional problems. For patients who have such symptoms,however,anticancer therapies can complicate the treatment and expected recovery. Many individuals also present with preexisting comorbid diseases and illnesses ...WebMD Public Information from the National Cancer Institute
- Kids See Fewer Ads for Sweets, More for Fast FoodChildren are seeing fewer commercials hawking cookies, candy bars, and sugar-sweetened beverages, but more TV ads for fast food restaurants.WebMD Health News
Other Top US Cities
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.