Lipid Profile

Lipid is one of the commonest terms used these days but here the question arises that what actually are the lipids. Lipids are the group of biological molecules which are not soluble in aqueous solutions but are soluble in organic solvents and comprises of fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, steroids (like cholesterol) and some other associated compounds. Lipophilic bile acids supports in lipid solubilization. Lipids have many functions to perform that are as follows:-

It works as energy reserves in the body
It helps in supplying supplements in case of deficiency of any vitamins and hormones
It works as structural components of biological membranes.

Cholesterol is soft and waxy cells found in the blood and other cells. It is helpful in forming cell membranes, hormones, vitamins and many more. Condition of raised levels of cholesterol is known as Hypercholesterolemia. This condition arises when the cholesterol levels augments from its

limit of 200 mg/dl. This poses a foremost risk factor for coronary heart disease i.e. CHD, thereby increasing risk of the body in having heart attack. Cholesterol is circulated in the blood plasma of all animals because of its insolubility. It is carried by the lipoproteins that operate as carriers in blood. These are spherical elements that have an exterior made mainly of proteins that are water soluble. Cholesterol is the chief culprit in the progression of atherosclerosis i.e. the plaques that gets deposited on the arterial wall that eventually results in heart attacks.

Triglycerides or triacylglycerols are the main component in vegetable oils and is a form in which the majority fat is present in food as well as in our body. Triglycerides in plasma are resultant from fats consumed in foods or made in the body from other energy resource such as carbohydrates.

The standard levels should be less than 150 mg/dl. The condition of excess of triglycerides in the blood plasma is known as hyper-triglyceridemia. It is associated to the incident of coronary artery disease.

Low density lipoprotein ( LDL) or more commonly known as bad cholesterol is the chief cholesterol carrier in the blood. Large amount low density lipoprotein cholesterol flow in the blood and gets deposited in the walls of the arteries. It structures plaque which is a thick and a hard deposit that narrows the arteries resulting in a fatal condition like atherosclerosis that eventually causes heart attacks. A thrombus or a clot near this plaque barricades the blood flow in the artery to the heart making heart devoid of blood causing a heart attack. Paralysis happens due to blockage of blood flow certain parts of the brain. A high level of Low density lipoprotein cholesterol i.e. 160 mg/dl and above shows an increased risk of heart related disease. The normal Low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dl.

About 1/4 th of blood cholesterol is carried by High density lipoproteins ( HDL).The normal range is more 50 mg/dl. It takes the cholesterol away from the arteries and carries it back to the liver, where it is metabolized. High density lipoprotein cholesterol is known as good cholesterol. The High Low density lipoprotein level has a defensive nature, there by averting heart attacks. It eradicates the surplus cholesterol from plaques and thus slows down their growth. A low High density lipoprotein cholesterol level also may raise stroke risk.

Main dietary sources of cholesterol comprises of eggs, beef and poultry. Organic products like flax seed, peanut also contain higher degrees of cholesterol-similar compounds known as phytosterols that lowers serum cholesterol levels. Seeds of Sunflower possess a good amount of linoleic acid that helps in reducing cholesterol deposits on the arterial walls thereby preventing risk of heart attacks. Replacement of sunflower oil from saturated fats like, butter & cream helps in achieving the good health and normal levels of cholesterols.