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Cholesterol, Glucose & Metabolism

Digestion of new food affects various processes in the body. First, energy sources are removed from food and either immediately burned or stored as fat for later usage. This depends on your metabolism. Then, based on the type of food you ate, cholesterol levels rise, fall or stay the same.

  1. Cholesterol

    • Every animal's liver produces a natural form of cholesterol. Its purpose is to strengthen cell membranes so that cells do not crack or explode as they pass each other. When we digest animal byproducts like meat, eggs and dairy products, we consume a certain amount of dietary cholesterol that may impact our cholesterol levels, depending on our genes and health.

    Good Versus Bad Cholesterol

    • There are two types of cholesterol in the body--low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") and high-density lipoprotein (HDL or good). The foods we eat affect whether our LDL or HDL levels increase or decrease. For example, trans fat and saturated fat tend to raise LDL levels. Fiber, whole grain oats and nuts, on the other hand, can lower LDL levels while raising HDL levels. The LDL levels are considered bad because they increase plaque buildup in the arteries which contributes to atherosclerosis--the stiffening of the arteries--which can lead to heart attack, stroke and even death.

    Glucose

    • During the digestion of bread, cereal, pasta, vegetables, milk products and fruit, your body converts carbohydrates into a sugar energy referred to as glucose. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, helps convert, store and utilize glucose so that cells can successfully use the energy for daily tasks. If, however, glucose levels remain unaffected by insulin, as is the case with type 2 diabetes, they can become increasingly high causing you to feel tired and lousy all the time. Fortunately, these levels can be reduced by either exercising and burning off the excess energy or eating less sugary, high-carb foods.

    Metabolism

    • Metabolism is the process by which your body converts food into energy and decides how much of it is needed for your daily routine. Even at rest, your body burns calories for repair, digestion, warmth and breathing. Metabolism regulates the rate at which these processes occur.

    How to Affect Metabolic Rate

    • The faster your metabolic rate, the more calories you burn in a day. Your metabolism varies according to your body size, muscular composition, sex and age, slowing as you get older. Although you have little effect over your age, sex and height, you can alter your muscle mass. By working out more often, you can accelerate your resting metabolic rate so that your body burns more calories at rest, reducing excess glucose in the blood and enhancing weight loss.

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