Understanding the two types of cholesterol that occur in the body and their purpose is important to understanding your own health. It is also important to understand which risk factors are under your control and which are dictated by genetics. It is possible to affect your health positively by taking action and improving your lipid profile.
Low Density Lipoproteins
Lipoproteins are molecules that transport cholesterol in the bloodstream. Low density lipoproteins tend to deposit cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels, leading to the buildup of plaque. These plaque buildups can eventually narrow the blood vessel, forcing the blood to work harder in order to deliver oxygenated blood to the brain and other tissues. These plaque buildups can also break away from the blood vessel walls, forming clots that block blood flow entirely. Clots that halt circulation to the brain are responsible for strokes.
High Density Lipoproteins
High density lipoproteins are molecules that transport cholesterol through the bloodstream to the liver, where it is metabolized and eliminated from the body. Most of this transported cholesterol will have just entered the body through the diet. It is possible that HDLs also remove cholesterol from plaques within the blood vessels themselves. This would increase its importance to the body in reducing the risk of artherosclerosis.
Total Cholesterol
A total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL is considered healthy. A high level, which is more than 240 mg/dL, is considered to have twice the risk of cardiovascular disease than a healthy level. A level of 200 to 239 is borderline high. However, total cholesterol is not necessarily the most accurate indicator of your health risk. Your HDL and LDL levels are added together to produce your total cholesterol; the levels of each cholesterol type can yield a more accurate risk assessment.
LDL to HDL Ratios
Healthy low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein ratios very according to gender. For women, an optimal LDL to HDL ratio is less than 100 mg/dL of LDL and more than 50 mg/dL of HDL. For men, the LDL level should also be less than 100, but the HDLs should be above 40 mg/dL. According to the article "Boosting the Good Cholesterol" on Medical News Today, these respective levels of HDL are considered the minimum before the HDL level becomes a risk factor for heart disease.
Controllable Risk Factors
Your HDL and LDL levels are controlled by genetics to some degree. However, there are changeable lifestyle factors that can contribute to a healthier lipid profile. A diet low in saturated fat will reduce the amount of LDLs absorbed through digestion. Reduced alcohol consumption can improve your HDL levels. Exercise, physical activity and weight loss can all positively affect your lipid profile. Cigarette smoking can have the most dramatic impact; the cessation of smoking can improve your HDL levels by 20 percent, according to Medical News Today.
