Translated from ancient Greek, the term "cholesterol" means "hard bile." Cholesterol is an organic polycyclic compound that belongs to the class of fatty alcohols. It does not dissolve in water, like all fats. Approximately 80% of blood cholesterol (about 500 mg) is produced by the gonads, the liver (most), to a lesser extent, by the kidneys, intestines and adrenal glands. 20% comes from food. Also in the literature the name "cholesterol" is found. Is there a difference between them? By its physical properties, cholesterol is a crystal in a liquid state of aggregation. In chemical terms, it would be more correct to call it cholesterol. This name is used in foreign medical literature.
Kinds
In human blood, cholesterol does not circulate in its pure form, but in conjunction with transporter proteins. Such a combination of them is called lipoproteins. These transporter proteins are divided into several groups according to their functionality and serve to deliver cholesterol to organs and tissues:
- High molecular weight lipoproteins (abbreviated as HDL or HDL) have a high density, known as “good” cholesterol.
- Low molecular weight (abbreviated as LDL or LDL) - have a low density, are also an integral part of blood plasma and belong to the so-called bad cholesterol.
- Very low molecular weight, i.e. very low density (abbreviated VLDL).
- Chylomicron is a class of proteins synthesized by the intestines as a result of processing of exogenous lipids (a group of organic fats). These are organic fats that differ in microscopic sizes - less than 1 micron.
The value of cholesterol for the body
Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and takes part in the life cycles of the body. It is needed in the synthesis of sex steroids in the adrenal glands (estrogen, cortisol, progesterone, aldosterone, testosterone, etc.), as well as bile acids.
Without cholesterol, the nervous system and immunity are impossible. Thanks to it, vitamin D is synthesized in the body, which affects the exchange of Ca and phosphorus. Also, cholesterol is needed for normal metabolism and the functioning of internal organs. It isolates and protects nerve fibers, determines the integrity of cell membranes and their selective permeability. The body needs cholesterol, but not its excess.
Cholesterol metabolism in the body
After absorption in the intestinal wall, cholesterol enters the blood. LDL and VLDL are not good for the body. They settle on the walls of blood vessels, forming atherosclerotic plaques. They should be in the blood in minimal quantities. Their increase is a sign of pathology. Cholesterol is transferred to the tissues, and if there is too much of it, it begins to settle in the vessels. The problem of this subsidence is a narrowing of the lumen of the vessel and impaired circulation. The result is heart attacks, strokes.
When talking about the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, they mean LDL. Their level should not be higher than 5 mmol / l. After 35 years, metabolic processes slow down, so at this age line you should regularly check your cholesterol level.
High density lipoproteins are elements that contain “good” fats. They should not be less than 1.7 mmol / l. They play a protective role - they protect the vascular wall from damage and control the level of "bad" cholesterol.
The main objective of HDL is the expulsion of bad cholesterol. This is due to the fact that they transfer cholesterol from the organs to the liver, where it is destroyed. Thus, cholesterol has a complex metabolism in men.
A decreased HDL level indicates the possibility of atherosclerosis. No less dangerous and low cholesterol. People with this pathology are more likely to become depressed, they often have strokes and cancer pathology. Therefore, health requires a balance between subgroups of cholesterol.
Equally important in blood biochemistry is the level of triglycerides (TG). Their number should not exceed 2.0 mmol / l of blood in an adult male.
With age, this amount increases. An indicator of more than 2.29 mmol / liter indicates the likelihood of coronary heart disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, and hypertension. A decrease in triglycerides will indicate problems in the lungs and liver, poor nutrition.
At the age of 30 to 40 years, blood cholesterol increases, at the turn of 50 years, lipids are aligned.
Norm of cholesterol in the blood
The rate of cholesterol can fluctuate as a whole in the range of 3.6-7.8 mmol / l, but more often 3.5-5. If the patient is young, then the upper level of the norm is not more than 6.4 mmol / l.
Elevated cholesterol in men depends on age, general physical condition. But doctors believe that any cholesterol over 6 mmol / L is a risk to the body and is elevated.
Classification of blood cholesterol levels:
- Optimum - cholesterol not higher than 5 mmol / l.
- Moderately or slightly elevated - ranging from 5 to 6 mmol / L.
- Dangerously high - above 6.5 mmol / l.
The norm of total cholesterol for men by age
Age also matters:
- up to 20 years, the norm is 2.91-5.10 mmol / l;
- 20-25 years - 3.16-5.59;
- 25-30 years - 3.44-6.32 mmol / l;
- 35-40 years old - 3.63-6.99 mmol / l;
- up to 45 years old - 3.91-6.94;
- up to 55 - 4.09-7.15 mmol / l.
Further it changes a little. And older than 70 years, it is already 3.73-7.86.
The figures show that the level of OH increases with age. In other words, the causes in men (cholesterol is elevated in the blood of elderly patients quite often) are directly related to age.
And even if a person carefully observes all the rules of healthy lifestyle, exceeding the norm to avoid it still will not succeed. Nature provides for an age-related slowdown in metabolism.
Deviation detection method
Many doctors highly recommend checking blood lipids annually after 25 years, and after 50 years - once every six months. With a genetic predisposition, blood should be donated regularly.
For the reliability of the result, blood is donated strictly on an empty stomach in the morning. It is also necessary not to drink alcohol, medications - the day before the analysis, do not eat for 12 hours, do not smoke or drink for 6 hours, and minimize stress.
The day before the test, you must abandon strong physical exertion, fatty and salty foods - these may be the causes of high blood cholesterol in men. If atherosclerosis is detected, the analysis is reassigned.
Causes of Hypercholesterolemia
Hypercholesterolemia is today an ordinary problem in the modern world. The causes of high cholesterol in men lie in their lifestyle in the first place. It is men who are special lovers of fatty and fried foods; owners of bad habits in the form of smoking and drinking.
Another causes of high cholesterol in men are physical inactivity, stress, and an accelerated pace of life. This also includes reluctance to see a doctor to the last.
According to statistics, the direct causes of high cholesterol in men are:
- Improper nutrition.
- Arterial hypertension.
- Lack of exercise and inactivity.
- Obesity.
- Age over 40.
- Diabetes of any type.
- Thyroid dysfunction.
- Cholelithiasis.
- Angina pectoris.
- Reception of immunosuppressants.
A genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis is also one of the common causes of high cholesterol in men. Today, elevated cholesterol begins to manifest itself in men after 35 years.
Previously, this was noted only after 40. Why? The causes of high blood cholesterol in men began to be recorded more often because with the advent of new technologies, inactivity, overeating, alcohol abuse and stress are increasing. Some professions themselves predispose to increase cholesterol - these are office workers and drivers of all stripes.
As you can see, the main reason (blood cholesterol in men is elevated much more often than in women) is an incorrect lifestyle. The role of nutrition is also important: it is no secret that men are prone to dry food, drink little water, eat few fruits, vegetables, herbs and fruits. But they abuse fast food, which has not yet brought anyone health.
Signs and symptoms of hypercholesterolemia
The main signs of excess cholesterol:
- the appearance of spots on the skin;
- yellowing of the skin around the eyes and the occurrence of xanthelasma and xanthoma (white and yellowish dots under the skin are an accumulation of lipids);
- a gray rim appears around the cornea of the eye, vision suffers;
- leg pain may occur while walking or running;
- angina attacks (tachycardia, blood pressure jumps, dizziness, sweating);
- weight gain.
In addition to the listed manifestations, men should pay attention to early gray hair. Also, increasing cholesterol in men threatens with a decrease in potency. This occurs due to malnutrition of organs with narrowed vessels. Impaired blood circulation can lead to the following conditions:
- swelling and numbness in the limbs;
- halitosis;
- dry mouth
- heaviness in the stomach;
- blurred vision;
- constipation
- weakness and fatigue.
All these signs are external, and internal are caused by stenosis of the arteries, therefore, can be noted:
- vascular ruptures and strokes;
- plaque in the vessels and narrowing of their lumen;
- cardialgia;
- memory impairment.
But there may not be any symptoms, and hypercholesterolemia can be detected during an examination by a doctor by accident. What is this talking about?
A mandatory examination is necessary in the presence of various heart diseases, diabetes, and kidney and liver diseases.
With reduced cholesterol, the opposite state is that the immune system suffers, and the work of many organs is disrupted. The main thing is that the elasticity of the vessels worsens and there is a risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
The danger of high LDL
Increased blood cholesterol in men in the absence of proper treatment can lead to complications such as:
- atherosclerosis;
- thromboembolism;
- heart failure, ischemia, heart attacks, angina pectoris;
- hormonal imbalance;
- pathology of the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands;
- cerebrovascular accident and strokes;
- memory impairment;
- fatal outcome.
Unhealthy blood vessels prevail in the list of the above, which causes all of these pathologies. Therefore, it is important for everyone to remember that the causes and consequences of high cholesterol in men are always very closely related, and timely examination and, if necessary, treatment is a guarantee of health.
What occurs with blockage or narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels?
Blood clots form, blood supply to the brain and heart is disturbed, hypoxia, ischemia and tissue necrosis develop. Diseases develop gradually, with atherosclerosis in 89% of cases, death occurs in a dream.
If a man has high cholesterol, what should I do? The solution to the problem should be comprehensive. The main points are: proper nutrition, and even better diet number 5.
It is important that only a fully-fledged and well-composed menu with elevated cholesterol in men, as well as maintaining healthy lifestyle, will help lower cholesterol to normal. Moderate physical activity is important, medication if necessary.
Drug treatment
The causes and treatment of high cholesterol in men are closely related. Although there are many drugs to lower cholesterol today and you can buy them without a prescription in a pharmacy, this does not mean the possibility of self-medication. Even if you are savvy in medicine.
Only a doctor should treat high cholesterol in men. It determines the duration of administration and the dose. The attending physician can choose (lipid-lowering) drugs that will block the development of atherosclerosis and minimize the risk of complications.
Lipid-lowering drugs include:
- Statins - they block the synthesis of LDL, and the possibility of their sedimentation on the walls of blood vessels decreases. Lipid metabolism is improving. Among them: "Tricor", "Lipantil 2000M" - valuable in that it can be used for diabetes, "Atorvastatin", "Simgal", "Tulip" and others.
- Fibrates help increase the amount of an enzyme that breaks down LDL. These include Fenofibrate, Bezafibrat, etc.
- FFA - sequestrants of bile acids. The mechanism of their action is that in the intestine they bile bile acids and form insoluble compounds that are excreted in the feces. As a result, they prevent the absorption of fats in the intestines. The body responds by triggering the formation of new bile acids from LDL stores, which ultimately lowers blood cholesterol. These include cholestyramine, colestipol, etc.
- Nicotinic acid preparations have the ability to increase HDL in the blood.
- To the basic treatment is often added by many doctors dietary supplements to reduce bile. All treatment is carried out under the control of the level of OX in the blood.
Contraindications to treatment
Almost all drugs have them. Funds based on fibroic acid are not used in young people whose puberty is not over. Also, this group of drugs is not prescribed for patients with diseases of the liver and kidneys, because they provoke the formation of kidney stones. Minimally and carefully prescribed for gastrointestinal pathologies.
FFA should not be taken for those who suffer from the biliary system, there are renal pathologies and frequent constipation.
Niacin is not recommended for chronic hepatitis, arrhythmias, IDPK and the stomach.
Cholesterol lowering foods
The main rules of the diet for high cholesterol in men are:
- preference for lean meat;
- chickens should not have peels.
The best option is to replace the meat with fish or chicken.
All kinds of meat from young animals are also allowed. Dairy products - with an average level of fat content. Plant products should be present in the diet in the maximum amount. Salads should only be seasoned with vegetable oils, with the exception of palm. Oils are better than unrefined.
Useful cereals on the water, especially oatmeal and buckwheat.
In the diet must be:
- Nuts.
- For bread - only coarse flour.
- Egg yolks - 2-3 per week. Also limit the amount of cheese and offal.
- Seafood - in the maximum quantity.
Fried is excluded. Heat treatment - steamed or boiled. Coffee is at a minimum, it is better to replace it with tea. Dried fruits to minimize. Alcohol is excluded except red wine.
Nutrition with high cholesterol in men, which lowers cholesterol, should become balanced and exclude completely sausages, pork and waterfowl, buns.
Of the drinks allowed water, green tea, herbal teas, freshly squeezed juices, unsweetened compotes. Fruits - apples, bananas, citrus fruits, grapes, pears, plums. Berries - strawberries, strawberries, currants, raspberries. Vegetables - carrots, beets, zucchini, Brussels sprouts.
Seasonings (except red / black and allspice) are prohibited. In addition, they thicken the blood. It is worth noting coffee: its excessive consumption increases cholesterol. Especially if you drink more than 2 cups per day. Replace it with tea. Green tea lowers cholesterol by 15%.
Doing sports
If the patient's condition is not yet serious, then you can do without pills. You will have to change your lifestyle. Exercise will not only strengthen muscles, but also reduce weight, which is also important.
We are not talking about Olympic achievements. Enough walking in the fresh air, but not less than an hour. Complete each workout with muscle relaxation; during training, increase the amount of water you drink.
It is useful to do jogging, dancing, swimming. The increase in loads is only gradual. The increased heart rate should not exceed 15 beats from the norm.
What do doctors recommend?
So, doctors recommend:
- Start your morning with a 10-minute charge.
- Drink pure water at least 2 liters per day.
- Be sure to drink a glass of water 20 minutes before eating.
- Exclude alcohol, smoking.
- Exercise at least 2 times a week.
- Hiking daily, at least an hour.
The body needs cholesterol, but its lack or excess leads to serious violations. The balance that needs to be maintained is important.