- This was briefly explained in article 2, our main focus for this article is to talk about cholesterol. Most us think of cholesterol as a bad thing, so why are we now reading that cholesterol is good? During this article we aim to discuss this and gather understanding of cholesterol in our body systems.
- Our bodies are designed to function in the most effective and efficient way. If we did not need cholesterol in our bodies, then our body would not produce it. Cholesterol is found in every cell in our body, maintaining the membranes of the cells, as well as playing an active role of communicating between cells; this is what defines us as humans, instead of a pile of cells. Our cholesterol is created in the liver as Low Density lipoproteins (LDLs) to be dispatched to where it is required. Cholesterol is transported via our blood, through the arteries, adrenals, peripheral tissues, ovaries and testes. When it arrives at its destination, our cholesterol will be used to produce hormones. The cholesterol then takes on the form of high density lipoproteins (HDLs) and cleans our body as it returns back to the liver.
· To help repair the body
· Supporting a healthy brain function
· Improving our moods
· Promoting cognitive function
· Maintaining overall strength stamina and vitality
· Strengthening our memory
· Reducing our stress
· Maintaining stable blood sugar levels
· Reproducing and increasing energy production.
- If we don’t exercise and have an unhealthy diet of artificial foods, sweeteners, substances and fluids, our bodies will go into melt down.
- Imagine the walls of our home where we live, as the walls of our arteries. If we put a hole in the wall it will start to bleed and the only way to fix this is with plaster. Envision the plaster as our bodies low density cholesterol (LDL) being produced by one of the smallest structures in the room, the liver. Now picture this event, we decide to throw a party, not just any party but the biggest, loudest, most incredible party our street has ever seen. We decide to invite 1,000 of our closest friends to our tiny four bedroom home. The people that we invite to our party are like the blood traveling through our body. Our blood cells at this party are full of alcohol, high energy foods and artificial substances. If any wall or structure is damaged, this party will not stop, it will keep going, and through the crowds of people are the LDL handy men with their plaster boards trying to patch up all the holes that are being created by this unhealthy crowd. Eventually the LDL handy men have to not only patch up all the walls but the structures are now starting to break down. Our main structure the liver is sending out more recruits, but it is increasing in difficultly, the plaster on the walls of the home are coming in on us, making the parties interior smaller, causing more holes. There are still 1,000 people flowing about our home every second. Eventually the hallways become so thick with plaster that it starts to slow down the flow of people between rooms. This is causing confusion and chaos throughout the party.
- Let’s stop here for a moment. As you are visualising this remember that the same thing is happening to your arteries. The artificial foods, sweeteners and fluids cause these cuts to our artery walls. Your liver produces the low density cholesterol (LDL) to help preserve the health of your arteries. The reason why doctors and people alike say we need to reduce the production of LDL in our bodies is because if our bodies are producing too much LDL as a result of our unhealthy diets and exercise regimes, the walls of our arteries slowly get closer and closer together (As the video demonstrates). This causes reduced amounts of oxygen to our cells and a weaker immune system leading to cause heart disease and diabetes.
- After our epic feast of a party, we now need to go into clean up mode, this is where our liver structure starts to recruit HDL handy men and it is their job to clean up all the LDL handy man’s plaster off the walls of our home. This process can take weeks or even months to repair all the walls and structures in our home. Without this process of HDL cholesterol in our blood stream the tears and irritation to the arterial walls will lead to aneurisms and ruptures. This is why doctors say that the production of HDL Cholesterol is good for our body because it means that our systems are running healthy and exercising is a great way to promote this production. The level of damage to our home is dependent on how many parties we throw or how many unhealthy meals we put through our bodies. Over time an unhealthy body system is like an un-serviced car, it starts to slow down and cannot be repaired as quickly. This is why heart disease and diabetes are considered degenerative diseases, because it occurs over time.
- To slow down the effect from a poor diet and exercise routine, we need to start doing something towards our health. This could include walking a little bit further to work, riding a bike with our family, going for a swim or joining a sporting club. In regards to our eating habits, we need to watch what we are consuming on a daily basis, focusing mainly on natural foods. If
we cannot clear ourselves from an unhealthy diet try the 80% - 20% rule, where we try to consume 80% good foods for example during week days, and consume the 20% not so good foods on the weekends, or something along those lines. Remember, every meal we consume that is unhealthy is preventing us one more day from achieving our full health potential.
Cheers, Xenus Fitness
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