Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver and can be obtained by the consumption of certain foods. Cholesterol is needed to synthesize vitamin D and some hormones, construction of cell walls and the creation of bile salts that aid in the digestion of fats. The chemical structure of cholesterol is:
The synthesis of cholesterol occurs in the liver by the process:
Vast amounts of cholesterol in the body can contribute to serious problems in the body like heart disease. In a study performed by Stanley Hazen, the head of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and Daniel Radar, director of preventative cardiovascular medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia showed that lean steak which is low in fat and cholesterol but high in protein, if eaten in large quantities can cause heart disease. It was determined by the researchers that due to bacteria in the gut of humans that aid in the conversion of the nutrient in beef into a compound that enables an increase in the build up of plaque in the arteries.
In a study conducted, it was indicated that an individual’s collection of intestinal microbes maybe as important to the diet as anything else. It was determined that consumption of red meat can increase the risk of death by heart disease, even when controlling the levels of fat and cholesterol. In order to investigate why individuals die from heart disease due to the consumption of red meat and other food stuff, the nutrient l-carnitine which is found in red meat and other dairy products. The test showed that when l-carnitine is consumed there is an increase in blood levels of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) which is a compound that can alter the metabolism of cholesterol and slow the removal of cholesterol that accumulates on the walls of arteries. Also fecal studies were done which showed that a regular diet of meat probably encourages the growth of bacteria that can convert l-carnitine into TMAO. Carnitine is a substance that aids the body in the conversion of fats into energy. Carnitine has also been proposed as a treatment for many conditions becauses due to its properties as an antioxidant. The structure of l-carnitine is:
The levels of l-carnitine in the blood of candidates having elective heart check-ups showed that by it, the nutrient didn’t seem to cause any problems of concern but however persons with high levels of l-carnitine and TMAO were prime candidates to for heart disease. The studies done on mice proved the original hypothesis that the risk of developing arterial plaques increased when the gut bacteria were present but when the animals were treated with gut- clearing antibodies, l-carnitine in the diet did not encourage plaques. Therefore it can be concluded that the cause of arterial plaque is due to the presence of l-carnitine and TMAO, not just the l-carnitine bacteria alone.
REFERENCES:
Bibliography
—. Carnitine (L-Carnitine). 2011. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/carnitine-l-000291.htm (accessed April 13th, 2013).
—. “What is Cholesterol?” TeensHealth. January 1st, 2012. http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/cholesterol.html# (accessed April 13th, 2013).
Woolston, Chris. “Red Meat May Clog Arteries Beacause of Gut Bacteria .” Scientific American . April 7th, 2013. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=red-meat-clogs-arteries-bacteria (accessed April 13th, 2013).
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