Cholesterol is described by the National Institute of Health as "a waxy, fat-like substance that is produced in the body and obtained from foods that come from animals." It serves a number of essential functions in the body, and as such, is a required substance.
Cholesterol in the Bloodstream
Cholesterol is not soluble in blood, so to facilitate transporting it through the bloodstream, the body takes small proteins and uses them to package the insoluble cholesterol particles. These packages are called lipoproteins, some of which are dense, while others are not.
LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol has the role of taking cholesterol from the liver and delivering it to different cells in the body. Cells extract cholesterol and fats from the lipoproteins. If there is excess LDL cholesterol in the blood, it will find a deposit site, often on the insides of arteries, where it builds up. Since this can eventually result in heart attacks and strokes, LDL cholesterol has acquired the reputation of being "the bad cholesterol."
HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoproteins are responsible for transporting about a quarter of the cholesterol found in the blood. The American Heart Association (AHA) indicates that some medical experts hold the opinion that HDL carries cholesterol from the arteries back to the liver for expulsion from the body. Another school of thought is that HDL actually goes to the site of the problem and removes extra cholesterol from arterial plaque, which slows the buildup and keeps the artery from being blocked. Whichever method it uses, HDL cholesterol has proven itself to help in preventing heart disease and heart attacks.
"Good" Cholesterol Level
Knowing the positive effects of HDL cholesterol, it then becomes necessary to know if you have too little of a good thing. If you are a male, you don't want your HDL cholesterol level to fall below 40 mg/dL. As a female, you want to stay above 50 mg/dL. Anything below those numbers places you in the danger zone, at high risk for heart disease. An HDL level of 60 mg/dL and above is considered to be high, and can help to protect you from heart disease, according to the AHA.
Increasing HDL levels
If your HDL cholesterol level is low, you can increase it by committing to a regular exercise program, which has been found to aid the body in producing more HDL. A properly balanced diet low in trans fats will also help in your quest for more HDL cholesterol, says the AHA. The more you have of the "good" cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. So eat right, exercise and make your "good" cholesterol your high cholesterol.
