Question

As most of you know, heart disease is america's leading cause of death. In unit one, we have discussed the different types of lipids. Please answer the following questions.

• What are the potential health consequences of coronary arteries being clogged by “plaques”

• Name some specific foods that might lead to increased LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream
• What is the main difference between a saturated fat and an unsaturated fat? List characteristics of each. Where are they found? Solid/liquid at room temp? Etc.
• What type of reaction is used to link each of the fatty acids to a glycerol molecule?
• If you wanted to raise your HDL and lower your LDL levels, what should you eat?

Answer 1

●.Cholesterol-containing deposits and other substances combine to form 'plaques' in coronary arteries.These plaques can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle by physically clogging the artery or by causing abnormal artery tone and function.

The decreased blood flow may cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or other coronary artery disease signs and symptoms. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.

The main consequences are:

▪Chest pain (angina): pressure or tightness in chest.This pain, referred to as angina, usually occurs on the middle or left side of the chest. Angina is generally triggered by physical or emotional stress.

▪Shortness of breath. If heart can't pump enough blood to meet body's needs, one may develop shortness of breath or extreme fatigue with exertion.

▪Heart attack. A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack.
The signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing pressure in chest and pain in shoulder or arm, sometimes with shortness of breath and sweating.

Sometimes a heart attack occurs without any apparent signs or symptoms.

▪Heart failure. some areas of heart are chronically deprived of oxygen and nutrients because of reduced blood flow, or if heart has been damaged by a heart attack, the heart may become too weak to pump enough blood to meet body's needs. This condition is known as heart failure.

▪Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).Inadequate blood supply to the heart can interfere with heart's electrical impulses, causing abnormal heart rhythms.

●.LDL is often referred to bad cholesterol,as it’s associated with the plaque buildup in arteries.

fats are mostly found in animal foods such as beef, lamb, poultry, pork, butter, cream, and milk, and in coconut and coconut oil, cocoa butter etc.

Foods that increase that increases LDL cholesterol can be broadly classified into four

▪Fried Foods

Fried foods such as deep-fried meats and cheese sticks are high-cholesterol and should be avoided whenever possible.


▪ Fast Food

Those who frequently consume fast food tend to have higher cholesterol, more belly fat, higher levels of inflammation and impaired blood sugar regulation

▪Processed Meats

Processed meats, such as sausages, bacon and hot dogs, are high-cholesterol foods that should be limited.High consumption of processed meats has been linked to increased rates of heart disease

▪Desserts

Cookies, cakes, ice cream, pastries and other sweets are unhealthy foods that tend to be high in cholesterol.

●.Saturated and unsaturated fat

▪Saturated fat

Fats that are tightly packed and no double bonds between the fatty acids are .Most fats are solid at room temperature,with some exceptions also.

Sources of saturated fat include:
fatty pieces of meat such as beef and lamb,some pork and chicken products
dairy products including cream, whole milk, butter, shortening, and cheese
coconut and palm oils etc.

▪ Unsaturated fat?

Unsaturated fats are loosely packed. They tend to be liquid at room temperature.
There are two main types of unsaturated fat.Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats.

monounsaturated fats include:olive oil peanut oil avocados ,nuts,seeds etc

Polyunsaturated fats can be further divided into two types: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for heart health.The sources are fatty fish, ground flax, and flaxseed oil soybean,oysters walnuts etc.

Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in: canola oils, afflower oil,soybean oil sunflower oil etc.

●.The type of reaction that responsible for linking each of the fatty acid to the glycerol is "Dehydration reaction" in which three water molecules are releasing.

The fatty acids attach to each of the glycerol molecule's three carbons with an ester bond through an oxygen atom.

●.To raise HDL and to lower LDL cholesterol we must follow a good diet.We can include the food items such as:Beans and legumes,olive oil,oats,whole grains,high-fiber fruit,fatty fish,flax seeds, nuts,chia seeds,barley,eggplant and okra,vegetable oils,apple,grape and citrus fruits etc.