Cholesterol

Which is considered the "good" and the "bad" cholesterol? What is the difference?

Cholesterol isn't "good" or "bad." Two-thirds of it is produced naturally in our liver. It is necessary for hormones, absorption of fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K and other important bodily functions. It's actually the pathway that it takes that makes it either "good" or "bad."

What is HDL?

This is considered the "good" cholesterol. It transports the LDL cholesterol back to the liver where the liver can use it or get rid of it. It keeps plaque from building up on the walls of the arteries. If your HDL is below 40 mg/dL, you are at substantially higher risk for heart disease. The higher your HDL, the better off you are. HDL stands for High Density Lipoprotein so a good way to remember which is good, just remember the H stands for "high" - you want to keep this one high above 40 mg/dl.

How do I raise my HDL?

·         Exercise is really the main way to raise your HDL cholesterol

·         Stop smoking if you smoke

·         Omega 3s  -  salmon, tuna, sardines, flaxseed oil, ground flaxseed and walnuts are good sources.

What is LDL?

LDL is considered the “bad” cholesterol because it builds up in the inner walls of the artery and can form plaque; making the arteries less flexible and putting us at risk for a heart attack and stroke. LDL stands for Low Density Lipoprotein so remember the L stands for “low”…you want to keep this lower than 100 mg/dl.

What causes LDL cholesterol to rise?  

What you eat. Certain foods have types of fat that raise your cholesterol level

·         Saturated fat raises your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level more than anything else in your diet.

·         Trans fatty acids (trans fats) are made when vegetable oil is hydrogenated to harden it.

·         Your weight. Being overweight tends to increase your LDL level, lower your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, and increase your total cholesterol level.

·         Your activity. Lack of regular exercise can lead to weight gain, which could raise your LDL cholesterol level. Regular exercise can help you lose weight and lower your LDL level.

·         Heredity. High blood cholesterol can run in families.  

·         Age and sex. Starting at puberty, men have lower levels of HDL than women. As women and men get older, their LDL cholesterol levels rise. Younger women have lower LDL cholesterol levels than men, but after age 55, women have higher levels than men.