Serum total lipids and cholesterol in Iraqi individuals of Kufa

ABSTRACT

Total serum lipids and cholesterol levels were estimated in 112 Iraqi individuals of Kufa. The results were analysed in relation to sex, age and type of activity. The total serum lipid and cholesterol levels were found high. No significant variation was observed in relation to sex. The total serum lipids decrease in individuals engaged in heavy activity. Interest in serum Lipid concentrations in health and disease has been greatly stimulated since a close correlation has recently been shown between the raised fasting serum lipids concentrations and the prevalence of ischaemic heart diseases. Hyper lipaemia may not only accelerate blood clotting but also increases blood viscosity as well as producing increased adhesiveness and aggregation of red blood cells. It has also been shown that variations in both fat and carbohydrate composition of the diet rapidly produce distinct change in serum lipid fraction with slight immediate effects on serum cholesterol and phospholipids. The diet of a common Iraqi individual includes apparently excess amounts of carbohydrate, fat and protein which may influence the serum lipid concentrations. With these facts in mind it was thought pertinent to carry out a study of total serum lipid and cholesterol levels in subjects of either sex, of varying ages and engaged in different types of activities