health topics

Lipids are organic compounds that are essential to life. In living organisms, lipids are used for energy storage, they serve as the structural components of cell membranes, and they constitute important signaling molecules. As such, they play a number of important roles in human nutrition and health. Sometimes lipids are referred to as ‘fats’. Actually, fats (also known as triglycerides) are only one category of lipids.

While lipids are essential for life, abnormal levels of lipids in human bodies pose health risks. Chief among these are cholesterol and trans fats. Cholesterol is a sterol-type lipid found in the cell membranes of all body tissues and is transported through the blood. High levels of cholesterol have been shown to be a risk factor for heart disease and other diseases. Specifically, elevated concentrations of oxidized LDL (low-density lipoprotein) particles have been associated with arethoma formation in the walls of arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the principal cause of coronary heart disease as well as other forms of cardiovascular disease. Another type of blood lipid called HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol has been shown to have beneficial health attributes.

Getting to better blood lipid health

In this case, better blood lipid health is seen when LDL cholesterol is lower and HDL cholesterol is higher. In general, a lower level of total cholesterol is seen as healthier. Doctors emphasize diet, exercise, and weight loss to reduce cholesterol. Medications known as statins are another important option to lower heart disease risk. Finally, there is mounting evidence pointing to the fact that nutraceutical supplements can improve blood lipid health.

Some of these include:

Dietary Fiber

Plant foods like whole grains, oat bran, barley, meals and more

Omega 3 fatty acids

A broad range of plant and animal-based foods contain omega 3 fatty acids – the most popular of which are fish oil, flaxseed oil and chia seed oil. Omega 3s have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, decrease the growth of plaque in the arteries, and aid in thinning blood

Phytosterols

Phytosterols (plant sterol and stanol esters) are compounds found in small amounts in foods such as whole grains as well as in many vegetables, fruits, and vegetable oils. They decrease LDL cholesterol, mostly by interfering with the intestinal absorption of cholesterol.

Policosanols

Policosanols are a blend of compounds isolated from natural plant waxes, with sources like sugar cane, beeswax, rice and others.  Policosanol contains several long chain fatty alcohols, including octocosanol, hexacosanol and triacontanol. Animal and in-vitro research has shown that these compounds inhibit lipid peroxidation and support macrophage activity.