Lipidology
Lipidology
Lipidology (pronounced li-pi-dol-o-gy) is a branch of medicine that focuses on the study of lipids. Lipids are a group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, and K), monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, and others. The main biological functions of lipids include storing energy, signaling, and acting as structural components of cell membranes.
Etymology
The term "Lipidology" is derived from the Greek words "lipos" which means fat, and "logos" which means study. Thus, lipidology is the study of fats or lipids.
Related Terms
- Lipid: A lipid is a substance that is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform. Lipids are used by the body for many functions, including serving as a source of energy, insulating body organs against shock, maintaining body temperature, and promoting healthy cell function.
- Lipoprotein: A lipoprotein is a biochemical assembly that contains both proteins and lipids, bound to the proteins, which allow fats to move through the water inside and outside cells. The proteins serve to emulsify the lipid molecules.
- Hyperlipidemia: Hyperlipidemia is a medical term for abnormally high levels of fats (or lipids) in the blood. These fats can include cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Dyslipidemia: Dyslipidemia is an abnormal amount of lipids (e.g. cholesterol and/or fat) in the blood. In developed countries, most dyslipidemias are hyperlipidemias; that is, an elevation of lipids in the blood.
- Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood.
- Lipid profile: A lipid profile is a group of tests that are often ordered together to determine risk of coronary heart disease. They are tests that have been shown to be good indicators of whether someone is likely to have a heart attack or stroke caused by blockage of blood vessels or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lipidology
- Wikipedia's article - Lipidology
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