Role Of Fat In The Development Of Atherosclesosis

ROLE  OF  FAT  IN  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF ATHEROSCLESOSIS

Cholesterol and triglycerides are the main forms of fat carried in the blood stream. These fats or lipids come partly from food, (exogenous) and partly from the body's own production in the liver (endogenous). Fats are not water soluble and hence cannot travel through the blood easily.

Cholesterol is an important substance for the functioning of the body. It is not fat but it is closely related to fat. It is a compound chemical that is an essential component in the structure of cells and is also involved in the formation of important hormones.

High levels of cholesterol can contribute to atherosclerosis, in which the blood vessels are narrowed by deposits of a fatty tissue called atheroma made up largely of cholesterol, esters and triglycerides .

These deposits of fatty tissue causes thickening of the arterial wall, loss of elasticity and narrowing of the lumen.

Most myocardial infarctions are due to atherosclerosis. Myocardial infarction is a cardiac disability resulting from an inadequacy of the coronary arterial system to meet the needs of the heart muscle for oxygen and nutrients. It may be manifested as sudden death or as angina pectoris.

Angina pectoris refers to the tight, pressing burning and severe pain across the chest that follows exertion and is a result of inadequate oxygen to the myocardium.

High cholesterol levels in the blood stream lead to more cholesterol being deposited in patches of atheroma and a greater risk of severe atherosclerosis. The two major lipids, cholesterol (CHOL) and triglyceride (TG) circulate in the blood as lipid protein complexes known as lipo proteins. The major lipoprotein classes are chylomicrons (CH), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL)

LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to the periphery of the body and thus tends to promote the development of coronary heart disease.

HDL brings cholesterol from the tissues back to the liver for safe disposal. This is why HDL is referred to as good cholesterol and LDL as bad cholesterol.

Things that may prevent clogging

1.     Increase HDL cholesterol by an increase in exercise.

2.     Reduced intake of dietary fat and cholesterol will reduce chylomicron

3.     Reduced total fat, saturated fat and trans fatty acid in the diet will reduce endogenous fat produced in the liver, as a result VLDL is reduced.

4.     High intake of GLOP - water soluble fiber results in more cholesterol being lost in the intestine.

GLOP Guar gum, Legumes, Oat bran and Pectin.