Lipid metabolism disorder
introduction
As lipid metabolism disorders are called diseases that by Disruptions from Transport, metabolism and production of fat to Changes of cholesterol- and Triglyceride levels.
They are medically called Dyslipidemias When there is a general increase in blood lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides are referred to as Hyperlipidemias.
The Values of the so-called blood lipids are to one unfavorable relationship moved so that the Increased risk of numerous diseases. Increased blood lipid levels do not in themselves cause symptoms, but should be treated to prevent secondary diseases such as Heart attack or stroke to occur.
causes
A lipid metabolism disorder describes the disturbed relationship between cholesterol and triglycerides, the so-called blood lipids.
There are various reasons why disorders of lipid metabolism can occur. In the most common cases the lifestyle is unhealthy.
A diet high in fat and cholesterol, for example through the excessive consumption of fatty meat, plays a role in increasing the cholesterol level, triglycerides rise with increased alcohol consumption or a high-calorie diet.
The occurrence of increased blood lipids is favored by being overweight.
A disturbed lipid metabolism can also occur with other underlying diseases, for example diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease, cholestasis due to damage to the liver, hypothyroidism and nephrotic syndrome.
In a few cases, a lipid metabolism disorder is genetic and leads to increased cholesterol levels in the blood.
Read more on the subject at: Fat metabolism
diagnosis
A lipid metabolism disorder is called a Blood analysis diagnosed. To do this, the doctor takes blood from the patient, the patient should sober in the morning appear, so do not consume breakfast and only still water before the examination.
During the evaluation, the doctor is interested in several values to determine a lipid metabolism disorder: That Total cholesterol in the blood serum that HDL cholesterol, the LDL cholesterol and the Triglycerides.
Especially that Ratio of the two cholesterol levels is crucial:
The HDL cholesterol is, so to speak, the "good cholesterol" and should not below 40mg / dl in men, at Women not below 45mg / dl lie.
The "bad cholesterol" is this LDL cholesterol and should values do not exceed 150 mg / dl. As a rule of thumb, remember that LDL cholesterol should not be more than three times the value of HDL. Total cholesterol in healthy adults is below 240 mg / dl. The triglycerides should be below 200 mg / dl.
The doctor should in addition to evaluating the blood results Clarify risks for diseases of the cardiovascular system. These include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, smoking and the patient's family history.
Also, the doctor should continue after diseases looking for the Cause of lipid metabolism disorder could be if a lifestyle-related illness can be excluded. Here special attention should be paid to the liver, thyroid, kidney and pancreas.
A diagnosed lipid metabolism disorder must be treated even if there are no symptoms, as it can lead to serious consequential damage. That includes Atherosclerosis, that is, the narrowing of blood vessels. Above all they are affected Vessels of the heart. Also Strokes occur frequently.
Symptoms of a lipid metabolism disorder
Increased fat levels in the blood remain undetected for a long time because they initially no symptoms cause.
They are often discovered accidentally during routine checkups, or in most cases make themselves up only through late effects noticeable.
This includes the narrowing of heart vessels, resulting in a Angina pectoris (Chest tightness) and in the worst case to one Heart attack can lead. Besides are Strokes as a long-term consequence of lipid metabolism disorders.
The so-called "Intermittent claudication“Be medical as peripheral arterial disease designated. Walking causes pain for those affected, so that they have to stop again and again.
The high blood lipids result general to atherosclerotic changes, these are constrictions of vessels by fatty plaques that are deposited in the vessel walls. This can lead to complete occlusions with insufficient supply in the heart, brain or muscle tissue
Therapy of a lipid metabolism disorder
In the case of a lipid metabolism disorder, the patient is first asked to do a Change in his lifestyle perform.
This includes replacing unhealthy, high-fat, high-calorie and low-nutrient diets with wholesome, healthy, nutritious foods.
The nutrition should be especially balanced shape, that is, that healthy fats in the daily menu, for example in the form of Nuts, fish and rapeseed oil should not be missing. Animal fats such as in sausage, butter and cream should only be consumed to a small extent.
As a person affected, one should pay attention to do not overeat your daily calorie requirement. Excess energy is metabolized into triglycerides in the body. By a Reduction in body weight With the help of a change in diet, the blood fat level can be lowered.
In addition, the patient is encouraged to sporty in a way that suits him to operate.
Research has shown that the salary on Increase "good" HDL cholesterol can.
Find out more about the topic here: Diet for high cholesterol levels
Should efforts to change the patient's lifestyle fail, a medical therapy to be started. Particularly patients with a genetic tendency to high blood lipid levels need support in this form. The drugs that are used here are the so-called Lipid lowering agents. Statins play the main role here.
Read more about lowering blood lipids here: Simvastatin
What drugs are there for a lipid metabolism disorder?
Should be a Change of lifestyle do not achieve a decrease in blood lipid levels, it may be necessary to Medication to grab.
Statins are the most important drugs for lowering blood lipid levels. They inhibit the formation of LDL cholesterol and can lower cholesterol by 50%. However, it takes a few weeks for them to fully take effect.
Statins can ssevere side effects cause, in their strongest form up to Muscle fiber breakdown (so-called Rhabdomyolysis). Close control is therefore absolutely necessary.
Read more here under statins under: Simvastatin
Another group in the therapy of lipid metabolism disorder are the Fibrates. Lower fibrates not just the cholesterol level, rather also the triglyceride level in blood. However, their effect on the cholesterol level is lower. They also performed significantly worse than statins in studies, which is why their use is controversial.
In severe cases can even do one Lipid apheresis be indicated, an artificial blood wash, similar to dialysis.
Diet for a lipid metabolism disorder
The most important measure to prevent consequential damage from a lipid metabolism disorder is Change of diet.
The diet should be balanced and as low in fat as possible. Particular attention should be paid to healthy (unsaturated) fats to take in.
This includes the unsaturated fatty acids poultry and fish. Polyunsaturated fatty acids can be found in Olive oil, safflower oil or other vegetable oils. They are also rich in good fats nuts like almonds. The food should be as possible high in fiber be.
Fatty meat, sausage, butter, cream and other high-fat products should only be consumed in moderation. Likewise alcohol, so-called fast food and sweets.
In the Preparation should be the food if possible fat free fried or steamed. Existing excess weight should be reduced become.
Physical movement in the form of moderate endurance training also has a positive effect on blood lipid levels. Smoke is, in addition to high blood lipids, another Risk for Heart attack and Strokel and should be abandoned.
Homeopathy for a lipid metabolism disorder
In the area of herbal medicinal products, there is a large number of therapeutic agents for lowering blood lipid levels.
Especially garlic and artichoke an effect on blood lipids is ascribed. cinnamon also has a positive effect on blood lipid levels.
The Meadow plant speedwell is often prepared as a tea and is also used in the therapy of lipid metabolism disorders.
The following globules are used in homeopathic practice:
- Adlumia fungosa D12 (also has a positive effect on the liver values)
- Sodium choleinicum D12,
- Sulfur D12
- and Cholesterinum D12
Besides globules come in homeopathy as well Schuessler salts and Bach flowers for use.
Schüßler salts for a lipid metabolism disorder
In homeopathy, Schuessler salts are often used. These are preparations of mineral salts in a homeopathic dose. There are a total of 27 Schüßler salts, which are numbered consecutively.
The following preparations are used for high cholesterol and blood lipid levels:
- No. 1 (Calcium Fluoratum)
- No. 7 (Magnesium Phosphoricum)
- No. 15 (Kalium Jodatum)
- No. 17 (Manganum sulfuricum)
- No. 26 (Selenium)
- No.27 (Potassium Bichromium)
Find out more about the topic here: Schuessler salts
What are the consequences of a lipid metabolism disorder?
The consequences of a lipid metabolism disorder are the accumulation of fat in the vessel wall and the slow closure of this. This is known as atherosclerotic change or atherosclerosis. The vessels decrease in their elasticity and can even tear.
If the arterial vessels become blocked, the tissue behind them is no longer adequately supplied with blood, oxygen and nutrients.
It can occur in a wide variety of vessels, for example in the coronary arteries. They feed the heart. In the case of an undersupply, typical chest pain occurs, which can radiate into the arm and sit in a belt-shaped manner over the chest. In the worst case, this coronary heart disease or angina pectoris can develop into a heart attack.
Vessels in the lower extremities can also occlude, which leads to severe pain on short walking distances that make the patient pause. This is known as intermittent claudication, also known as peripheral arterial disease.
Strokes can occur if supply vessels to the brain are affected.
Read more on the topic: Atheromatosis
What role does the liver play in a lipid metabolism disorder?
The liver plays one crucial role in the metabolism of blood lipidswhich explains a disorder in liver disease. It breaks down fats that are ingested with food and is for them Synthesis of blood lipids triglycerides and cholesterol responsible.
cholesterol is a precursor to numerous hormones and bile acids.
The liver also makes the Lipoproteins, Molecules that transport the fats to the rest of the body cells and supply them with energy. A disturbed liver function can lead to serious disturbances in this sensitive system.
Duration of a lipid metabolism disorder
Because lipid metabolism disorders unrecognized for years are, is it difficult to show, when late effects occur can.
The longer you live with an untreated lipid metabolism disorder, the higher the risk of developing long-term effects.
Other risk factors can Speed up process. That includes Obesity, diabetes mellitus and Smoke.
If you are stopped with statins, it should be noted that about 4 weeks can pass before a stable improvement in the values is achieved.
cholesterol
cholesterol comes from in all animal cells and is a vital component.
It fulfills a wide variety of tasks in the human organism: It is built into the membrane (i.e. shell) of human cells.
Besides, it's that Precursor of the so-called steroid hormones how testosterone or estrogen. It is the most important component of bile acids and at the Involved in absorption of fat from food.
Furthermore, it is a Precursor of vitamin D, which is activated by UV light.
In order to be able to be transported in the blood Cholesterol linked to certain proteins, the so-called Lipoproteins. The "good" protein HDL is cholesterol, which is transported to the liver to be broken down there. The “bad” LDL transports the fats from the liver to the rest of the body's cells. HDL and LDL must in one are related to each otherwhich is why they do a blood analysis in addition to total cholesterol.
Read more about the topic here: cholesterol
