What are Lipids?

What are Lipids?

It is very common to hear of our relatives and friends having high cholesterol or high lipids detected by a blood profile test. The many sub-components of lipids are analysed and on the basis of this report, the doctor advises a person on how to achieve a desirable cholesterol level.

What are these lipids and can timely detection of high lipids and their control thereafter prevent heart disease?

Lipids are fatty substances found in blood. Though a certain amount of fat is important for the body's normal working, too much fatty substance is bad. High levels of fat contribute significantly to the development of heart disease and as well as stroke. If detected in time, this situation can also be corrected. Hence, a lipid profile test is essential.

Two forms

There are two basic forms of lipids  Cholesterol and Triglycerides  and four types of carrier proteins. Both forms are manufactured internally in the liver and intestines and externally consumed in our diet. When the digested fat reaches the liver it is attached to certain carrier proteins.

This makes fat soluble in blood to be able to flow in and reach each cell. There are four types of proteins depending on the type and concentration of fat they carry. The types of fats are HDL (High Density Lipoproteins), LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins), VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoproteins) and IDL (Intermediate Density Cholesterol). These lipoproteins play a peculiar role in fat metabolism and interpretations of the test report.

For instance VLDL is the first lipoprotein to be despatched from the liver. It carries all the triglyceride and small amounts of cholesterol. When it travels, the VLDL discharges all its triglyceride and retains cholesterol becoming LDL. The LDL carries mainly cholesterol and when the amount carried by it exceeds the amount consumed by the body, then the excess floats around in the bloodstream and attaches itself to the inner wall of the blood vessels to form plaque or a block.

This is known as atherosclerosis and has a two-fold effect: It puts more pressure on the heart, as it has to pump against blocked arteries and may manifest as pain, angina or even a full blown heart attack. Second, the blood vessels supplying the heart and brain may be blocked causing a heart attack or a stroke.

As LDL cholesterol initiates the formation of plaque, it is also known as bad cholesterol. On the other hand, HDL is the tiny lipoprotein that usually transports very little cholesterol and more proteins from the liver through the blood vessels.

It is also known as the good cholesterol because it helps remove the LDL particles from the arteries and bring them back to the liver. Here, they are duly recycled or broken down.

Usually, the damage caused by high lipids is a silent process in terms of clinical symptoms. It is mostly realised late in the day, mainly when the person has a heart problem or is hospitalised for an unrelated problem.

However, it is possible to get a sneak preview into the process if patients do a regular lipid profile test.

Lifestyle problem
Actually, high blood lipids are a lifestyle problem. In our daily life, we eat too much, the wrong kind of food and exercise too less. In fact, proper and adequate diet as well light exercise form the cornerstones for lowering cholesterol and other lipids. Therefore, a consultant should formulate a patient's diet and expert pattern.

The best diet is to avoid red meat, egg yolk, fried food, coconut oil, butter, cheese, full cream milk and chocolates.

On the other hand, try to add more fibre in one's normal diet along with seasonal fruits, seeds, beans and as well as whole grain. In addition, note that fried food is bad, whereas boiled and baked food are good.

The best exercise pattern is to walk, jog, swim, cycle or do aerobics for at least 15-20 minutes daily.