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Cholesterol is often described as a waxy substance found in the cells of our body. It is approached with caution because of its association with various health issues.
Still, it’s vital to recognize that cholesterol has several good functions, from assisting in producing vitamin D to serving as a foundational building block for cell membranes.
It’s the balance – or imbalance – of cholesterol types in our bloodstream that demands attention. This balance becomes especially crucial when considering its relationship with diabetes and heart disease.
By understanding how cholesterol interacts with and influences the onset and progression of diabetes and heart disease, we can empower ourselves with the knowledge needed to make informed health decisions.
When experts speak of cholesterol as an issue concerning health, they typically refer to many types, so here are their differences:
Dietary cholesterol is usually found in animal-based foods. It was once believed to be a significant contributor to high blood cholesterol. However, according to Kayla McDonell, RD, writing in Healthline, recent research suggests its impact on blood cholesterol levels in most people is relatively less than earlier believed.
Blood cholesterol, produced by our liver and introduced through our diet, circulates in our bloodstream. Doctors are now more concerned about the negative influence of saturated and trans fats on blood cholesterol levels in our diets.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cholesterol usually doesn’t travel alone in our blood. It is packaged within “lipoproteins,” which are complex particles composed of proteins and lipids (fats). Because fats and watery blood plasma don’t mix well, lipoproteins help package these fats and move them around the body. There are two main types called LDL and HDL.
LDL (or Low-Density Lipoprotein) is often called “bad cholesterol” because high levels of LDL can lead to a build-up in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. HDL (or High-Density Lipoprotein) is referred to as “good cholesterol” because HDL aids in transporting bad cholesterol away from the arteries back to the liver, reducing the risk of cholesterol-related ailments.
These are again a type of fat found in the blood. When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn’t immediately need to use into triglycerides, which are then stored in fat cells. Later, the body releases triglycerides for energy between meals. Elevated triglyceride levels, often due to poor diet or other health conditions, can increase the risk of heart disease.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin, a substance required to turn food into energy.
There are three main types of diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form, where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough. This could be due to genetics, obesity, and lifestyle factors. Gestational Diabetes occurs during pregnancy, when the body can’t make enough insulin to meet the extra needs and thus raises blood sugar levels.
According to Jenna Fletcher, writing in Medical News Today, individuals with diabetes tend to have higher LDL cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of plaque build-up in arteries. If there are lower HDL levels, it further means less bad cholesterol is cleared from the bloodstream. What’s more, elevated triglycerides can also compound cardiovascular risks.
The relationship between cholesterol and diabetes isn’t one-sided. Elevated levels of bad cholesterol, particularly LDL, can exacerbate insulin resistance. The presence of diabetes, along with an unfavorable lipid profile, can damage blood vessels.
Cholesterol plays a pivotal role in heart health. According to Cleveland Clinic, the LDL, or “bad cholesterol,” can harm the heart when present in high concentrations. It can deposit cholesterol onto the walls of arteries. Over time, these deposits combine with other substances like fats, calcium, and inflammatory cells, forming a thick, hard deposit called plaque.
As plaque accumulates, it leads to a condition called atherosclerosis. The arteries become narrowed and less flexible, impeding blood flow. When these plaques rupture, they can form clots that block blood flow. If this occurs in the coronary arteries – the main vessels supplying the heart – it can result in coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of heart attacks. CAD can cause chest pain, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
On the other hand, according to Mayo Clinic, HDL, or “good cholesterol,” acts as the cardiovascular system’s cleaner. It removes excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and arterial walls and carries it to the liver for elimination. By doing so, HDL helps prevent the buildup of dangerous plaques, thus reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Apart from cholesterol, the other lipid, triglycerides, poses its own risks. High triglycerides, especially in conjunction with low HDL or high LDL levels, contribute to the further hardening and narrowing of arteries, thus amplifying heart disease risk.
Cholesterol thus has good and bad effects, so we must appreciate the importance of managing the cholesterol balance and the broader lipid profile to ensure a healthier heart.
Not only do cholesterol and diabetes combine to compound their adverse effects, but things can get more serious when two other ailments are added to this mix. For instance, when ailments such as obesity, cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension – along with other hereditary factors – come together, they can have a multiplicative impact on the heart.
This is why doctors always caution patients with one or more of these ailments to get screened for all of them. A thorough checkup would include monitoring blood pressure levels, checking LDL and HDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides, looking for diabetes signs and symptoms, and maintaining a vigil on obesity factors.
The three important health protection areas doctors typically advise include the ones below. But remember, all these require rigorous adherence.
The intricate relationship between cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease underscores the profound interconnectedness of our body’s systems. Recognizing this connection empowers us to be proactive about our health.
Regular check-ups serve as our first line of defense, allowing for timely interventions. All medications and diet and exercise plans must have the doctor’s approval. We must then commit to following medically prescribed medicines and regimens with due commitment.
Armed with knowledge, advice, and determination, it is up to us to take the initiative for our balanced, healthy, and happy lives.
