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Differentiate Between LDL & HDL

Mar 1, 2011 | By Hannah Rice Myers

Cholesterol is sometimes confusing, especially when all you hear are acronyms like LDL and HDL. You probably ask yourself, "What are these, what do they mean and how do they affect me?" You have every right to know the answers to these questions, and should know the answers. Both of these cholesterol types have a major impact on your health; knowing what they mean can allow you to improve your health.

LDL Cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein -- LDL -- is the major carrier of cholesterol in your blood. It becomes a danger, increasing your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke when excess amounts circulate through your blood. It then builds along the walls of your arteries, forming plaque with various substances. This plaque blocks the blood flow to your heart and brain, hence the reason LDL is known as your bad cholesterol. If you have heart disease, healthy levels of LDL should be 100 mg/dL or less. In otherwise healthy adults, a healthy range is between 100 and 129 mg/dL. A level of 160 mg/dL or greater is too high.

HDL Cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein -- HDL -- is known as your good cholesterol because it carries excess LDL from your arteries to your liver where it is then excreted from your body. This lowers your risk of developing heart disease. While your levels of LDL need to be low, your HDL levels should be high, providing them with enough power to function. Healthy levels are 60 mg/dL or more. When too low -- 40 mg/dL or less in men and 50 mg/dL or less in women -- your risk for heart disease increases.

Lifestyle Treatment

Some forms of treatment for both LDL and HDL are the same; lose excess weight, increase physical activity and reduce your intake of saturated fat. Some differences do exist, however. Eating 5 to 10 g of soluble fiber each day can increase your LDL cholesterol, according to the Mayo Clinic. Soluble fiber binds to excess LDL in your intestines, flushing it from your body. Consuming 1-1/2 cups of oatmeal each morning along with a piece of fruit provides you with the 10 g you need. Plant sterols are beneficial as well. You can lower your LDL more than 10 percent by consuming 2 g each day of these natural substances. They are found in nuts and seeds, however, certain foods and beverages such as yogurt and orange juice are fortified with them. Drinking two, 8-oz. glasses of fortified orange juice a day provides you with the daily recommended amount.

Smoking has a major negative effect on your HDL, and quitting can increase it by as much as 10 percent, reports the Mayo Clinic. Although alcohol is frowned upon for decreasing your LDL, it may help increase your good cholesterol when you drink it in moderation. Moderation is one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. Do not begin drinking for the benefit of your cholesterol levels.

Treatment With Medication

A myriad of cholesterol medications are available, but not all of them are designed for each cholesterol type. Statins are a class of drugs with the greatest effect on high LDL cholesterol. Most patients experience a 20 to 60 percent reduction when taking one of the drugs in this class, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Association. These slow the production of cholesterol in your body and increase your liver's ability to clear excess LDL in your blood.

Although fibrates, drugs effective for lowering triglycerides, help increase HDL levels by 10 to 15 percent, the most effective is niacin. This medication is a water soluble B vitamin available as an over-the-counter supplement. When using it to improve your cholesterol, the NHLBI recommends getting a prescription from your doctor to reduce the serious side effects the supplement may cause. Niacin can increase your HDL levels by 15 to 35 percent.

References

Article reviewed by Contributing Writer Last updated on: Mar 1, 2011

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