Atherosclerosis
How does atherosclerosis develop?
What happens when you body can no longer handle your fat intake? Cholesterol is an energy source, just like glucose (see Diabetes). Cholesterol is stored encapsulated in lipids called triglycerides that eventually become stored as fatty tissue. This fatty tissue serves your body as a long term energy source. But what happen if your fat intake exceeds your energy demand? Your fatty deposits increase leading to weight gain. Over prolonged periods of minimal energy demand, your body responds by developing atherosclerosis.
The following images may help you understand this process:
How are fats digested?
What is the role of cholesterol and lipoproteins?
How does atherosclerosis develop?
Atherosclerosis causes reduced blood flow resulting in lethargy and shortness of breath. This is one of the major causes of heart disease casing blockage of important blood vessels that deliver oxygen to hear muscles.
