- Contemporary understanding of Dyslipidemia
Dyslipidemia is a clinical condition which is characterized by abnormalities in the lipid profile of an individual, where the values are either higher or lower than the normal range. There is an increased level of total cholesterol above 240mg/dl, LDL-C is greater than 160mg/dl and triglyceride level higher than 200mg/dl. HDL-C often considered a good form of cholesterol is usually low, often below 40mg/dl (Grimes, et al 2018).
From the definition above, it is obvious that dyslipidemia results when the good cholesterol (HDL-C) component of the body’s lipid profile is below normal, while the bad cholesterol (VLDL-C) is high, outside the normal range.
Lipids also known as fats and oil is one of the six classes of food, asides from dietary intake through the consumption of fatty rich foods like nuts, lipids are also synthesized in the body, through a process known as lipogenesis. Here the body converts some of the excess calories derived from carbohydrate into fats, which are then stored in the adipose tissues. HDL-C, VLDL-C, LDL-C are all transport forms of cholesterol, and fatty acids in the blood. While HDL-C transports lipids to the liver, the former transports it from the liver to the peripheral tissues. Consequently, the lipid content of plasma increases as cholesterol leave the liver. (Herman, et al 2003).
- Causes and risk factors of preeclampsia.
The primary cause of dyslipidemia is the uncontrolled intake of food substances rich in fat and oil. However there are various disease conditions that can predispose an individual making them liable to get the disease. Such conditions includes type 2 diabetes mellitus , hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, liver disease etc. certain risk factors exist and they include, Smoking cigarette, Obesity, sedentary life style. Dyslipidemia can be primary or secondary, the latter is usually acquired.
- Risk factor of secondary dyslipidemia
Blood lipid are fatty substances like triglycerides and cholesterol. Many people achieve healthy levels by eating a balanced diet and through other aspects of their life style. However, some require medication to prevent additional health problems.
Secondary Dyslipidemia include
High level of LDL Or bad cholesterol
Low level of HDL or good cholesterol
High level of TAG
High cholesterol, which refers to high LDL and TAG.
- Risk factors includes;
Obesity.
- Type 2 Diabetes
2.Hypothyroidism
3.Alcoholism
4.Cushing’s syndrome
5.kidney disease
6.High fatty food
7.Heredity
Female sex tend to experience higher LDL especially after menopause
Sedentary life style.
- Types of dyslipidemia
There are basically two types of dyslipidemia, they include, primary and secondary dyslipidemia. Being inherited, the primary dyslipidemia is caused and controlled by the genetic information on the DNA of the patient. Whereas the secondary variety of the disease is caused by factors that are external, like diet or behavior. Examples of primary dyslipidemia includes;
- Familial combined hyperlipidemia.
Here there is an abnormally high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. This inherited disorder can predispose to a coronary artery disease.
- Familial hypercholesterolemia and polygenic hypercholesterolemia.
As the name implies, this is a hereditary disorder that is characterized by an increased total cholesterol level usually above 240mg/dl.
- Familial hyperapobetalipoproteinemia.
This condition results from high apolipoprotein B. this is a protein that forms an integral part of LDL cholesterol.
Accumulation of Cholesterol and other lipids in your blood can cause life threatening diseases like coronary heart disease, Stroke etc.
One of the best ways of avoiding high levels of Lipids in your body is by controlling your diet. Vegetable oil is the cooking oil of choice.
This was coined from my Undergraduate Research work titled Lipid profile and protein estimation in pregnant women. I hope you enjoyed it 😊
Reference
Grimes, S.D., & Wild, R. (2018). Effect of pregnancy on lipid metabolism and lipoprotein levels. Endotext [internet]
Herman G. Disorders of cholesterol biosynthesis: prototypic metabolic malformation syndromes. Hum Mol Genet. 2003; 12 Spec (No. 1): 75-88.