Disorders of Lipid Metabolism
Lipid Metabolism
Lipid metabolism primarily occurs in the liver and adipose tissues, involving the synthesis and breakdown of fats and fat-like substances. This process is regulated by complex mechanisms that are partly hereditary and partly influenced by proper or improper nutrition. Hormones play a significant role in lipid metabolism, including insulin, adrenaline, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones. The involvement of these hormones highlights the importance of inherited factors in lipid metabolism, as the functioning of these hormones also depends on genetic predispositions.
Disorders of lipid metabolism typically do not cause symptoms but pose significant risks to life expectancy by greatly increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases.
Excessive production of fatty acids can occur simultaneously, meaning all lipid values may be abnormal to varying degrees, or it may affect only specific values.
-
Hypercholesterolemia: This condition involves elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol"), which may be accompanied by normal or abnormal HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol"). The most unfavorable scenario is when "bad" cholesterol levels are high, and "good" cholesterol is low. The more pronounced these abnormalities, the higher the cardiovascular risk. While proper nutrition plays a role in reducing these levels, scientific studies suggest that dietary changes alone can achieve only about a 10% reduction.
-
Hypertriglyceridemia: Elevated triglyceride levels often accompany increased blood sugar or uric acid levels. Mild abnormalities are quite common even in young individuals, potentially signaling the later development of type 2 diabetes. In recent years, hypertriglyceridemia has been linked to the development of fatty liver disease. Reducing the consumption of starchy foods and alcohol can help lower triglyceride levels, though significant reductions cannot be expected from diet alone.
-
Mixed Dyslipidemia: This condition involves elevated levels of all the aforementioned lipids.