CST20/50: Glossary

CHOLESTEROL GLOSSARY

Atherosclerosis	The thickening of the artery wall due to cholesterol accumulation. When calcium is eventually deposited in long-standing cholesterol, hardening of the arteries—arteriosclerosis—occurs.
Cholesterol	Waxy, fat-like molecule, absolutely necessary and critical for cell wall structure, testosterone and estrogen production, Vitamin D production, bile production, and the healing process.
Fibrates	Reduce triglycerides production and increase triglyceride breakdown. Some brand name fibrates are Lopid and Tricor. A generic fibrate is gemfibrozil. Fibrates use with statins is a bit tricky, with sometimes lethal breakdown of muscle fibers being a major risk.
LDL and HDL	Microparticles in the blood stream that serve to taxi cholesterol around. LDL-cholesterol is the cholesterol attached to LDL particles, and has a “bad” reputation, since some LDL particles can penetrate artery walls and unload cholesterol there. The “good” reputation of HDL particles comes from their ability to withdraw cholesterol from arterial walls.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids	The active components of Fish Oil. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are the two major Omega 3’s in fish oil. ALA (linolenic acid) is a beneficial Omega 3 Fatty Acid found in flax oil, walnuts, and soy.
Statins	Prescription medications that reduce the body’s manufacture of cholesterol.
Trans-fats	"Non-natural” fats. They result from the chemical transformation of natural healthy fats to extend their shelf-life. These are called “partially hydrogenated” oils, and are found in nearly all fast foods and junk foods. Trans-fats also result from overheating regular fats and oils by frying or griddle cooking. Trans-fats have been found to raise small, dense LDL-cholesterol and to lower HDL cholesterol.
Triglyceride	A storage fat molecule, either circulating in the blood stream or accumulating in fat cells. Triglyceride comes largely from excess consumption of quick-uptake carbohydrates, sugar, and from fatty foods.