Cholesterol: What Is It?

• Cholesterol is the most abundant sterol (a fat-like lipid) found in animal tissues. From the nervous system, epidermis, muscles, excretory system and heart, the body uses cholesterol to make cell membranes and produce cell hormones. Needless to say, cholesterol is important to the body and, contrary to popular belief, not all forms of cholesterol are bad for the body.
  
  

The Good and the Bad

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): considered the "bad" cholesterol when produced in excess, LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the arteries and eventually clog blood flow, causing a condition known as atherosclerosis. The higher the level of LDL cholesterol, the more likely the person is to have heart disease. Anyone with an LDL level of 160 mg/dL or higher is at an increased risk of heart disease.
  
  High-density lipoprotein (HDL): is known as the "good" cholesterol compared to LDL because it removes extra cholesterol from the plaque buildup in the arteries as well as transfers cholesterol away from the arteries and to the liver, where it can be passed through the body. In the case of HDL levels, a higher number is better: levels lower than 40 mg/dL in men or 50 mg/dL in women are considered at an elevated risk for stroke.
  
  

Raising Both Levels

• Extensive studies have been conducted concerning the link between alcohol levels and cholesterol. Most research suggests that the amount of alcohol consumed is directly related to how much cholesterol levels rise.
  When alcohol enters the body, the ethanol contained within the drink raise the transport rates of lipoproteins contained in HDL. Therefore, one or two drinks is actually beneficial because it raises the levels of heart-healthy HDL cholesterol.
  However, after about two drinks, the alcohol adversely affects cholesterol. When the excessive amounts are transferred to your liver, the liver cannot break it down all at once, and LDL levels rise. This causes your heart to beat faster, and the enzymes in your heart and entire cardiovascular system are affected. This causes the heart to have to work harder to contract.
  
  

Risky Business

• As evidenced by the positive effects alcohol has on HDL levels, alcohol in moderation can have a positive effect on heart health. However, as a person drinks more, the risks begin to outweigh the benefits. The American Heart Association recommends that men limit their alcohol intake to one to two drinks per day while women should consume one drink per day.