How High Is Your Fat and Cholesterol Level?

Generally, one cannot measure the level of fat and cholesterol in his/her body without conducting specific examination. Fat and cholesterol examination will provide information on the data of fat and cholesterol level estimate in the body as well as the associated risks that may be harmful to the body.

1. Total cholesterol - High cholesterol level triggers atherosclerosis (narrowing or hardening of the arteries). Therefore, the analysis is used to measure one of the risk factors of atherosclerosis.

2. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol - LDL is often dubbed the "bad cholesterol" as it can stick onto the wall of blood vessels and cause the space within to narrow down. Consuming food that contains high level of saturated fat may increase LDL level.

LDL analysis is useful to identify fat profile and assess the success of a medication process. In the past, LDL cholesterol level is defined by calculating it, however it has later been known that the level of LDL cholesterol obtained through calculation is not accurate when the corresponding patient has a high triglyceride level (> 400 mg/dL) or when the patient does not fast correctly. Nowadays, there has been a method to directly measure LDL cholesterol level, with an advantage that it does not require the patient to fast prior to examination. You need to make sure if the laboratory of your choice employs such direct analysis method.

3. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol - HDL is often referred to as the "good cholesterol" as it functions to transport excess cholesterol left in the blood vessels to the liver for further processing. High HDL level is believed to protect you from heart disease.

HDL analysis is useful in assessing fat profile and risks of heart and blood vessel disease by determining the amount of cholesterol contained in HDL particles.

4. Triglyceride - Triglyceride is one type of fats found in the blood. When eating, our body transforms unused calorie into triglyceride, which is then stored in fat cells. Triglyceride is released to produce energy when the body needs it. When the amount of consumed calorie is greater than used calorie (e.g. for activities), triglyceride level will increase.

The increase of triglyceride level (hypertriglyceridemia) may increase the risk of heart disease and may indicate the presence of metabolic syndrome (a combination of increased blood pressure, increased level of blood glucose, excessive fat around the abdomen/central obesity, low HDL level and high triglyceride level). Metabolic syndrome will increase risks of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

5. Apolipoprotein B (apoB) - Cholesterol that is insoluble in blood that it needs a "carrier" to transport it to the whole body. The carrier is a protein known as apolipoprotein/apoprotein (apo). The combination of cholesterol and apolipoprotein is known as lipoprotein. There are numerous types of lipoprotein, but the most recognized ones are LDL and HDL.

ApoB analysis is useful in improving prediction of the risks of coronary heart disease. The higher the apoB level, regardless of normal LDL level, the higher the risks of coronary heart disease. The amount of apoB describes the amount of harmful lipoprotein particles that are atherogenic by nature (triggering atherosclerosis process).

Starting from now, be selective in choosing the food you consume. If necessary, check the label on the food to find information on the amount of saturated fat content. In addition, take laboratory examination to identify the risk factors that may be harmful to you.