Cholesterol is produced in your body and is also taken in from your diet. Eating foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat raises your blood cholesterol levels and may increase your risk for heart disease. Understanding the terms "good" and "bad" cholesterol is important for everyone, but more so for you if you're dealing with cholesterol concerns.
Nature of Cholesterol
Cholesterol circulates throughout your bloodstream and appears as a fatty, waxy substance. When your body has too much cholesterol, it builds up and clogs your arteries. The types of cholesterol are low-density lipoprotein, or LDL; triglycerides; and high-density lipoprotein, or HDL.
Low-density Lipoprotein and Triglycerides
Low-density lipoprotein is known as "bad" cholesterol. It contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. When your arteries become clogged, blood supply may become disrupted, preventing your arteries from transporting blood, oxygen and nutrients. Having high levels of LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Triglycerides are another form of fat found in your bloodstream. Increased triglycerides are caused by extra calories that your body does not use. Elevated triglycerides can be due to overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking and excess alcohol consumption. High triglycerides usually go along with high levels of LDL and low levels of HDL. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends an ideal score below 100 mg/dL for LDL cholesterol. A triglyceride level below 150 mg/dL is considered normal.
High-density Lipoprotein
High-density lipoprotein is the cholesterol known as "good" cholesterol, which may help with protecting against heart disease. It helps to move cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Although having a higher HDL level in comparison to LDL is ideal, having a low HDL cholesterol level may also raise your risk of stroke. To protect against heart disease, the American Heart Association recommends that men and women keep their HDL levels above 60 mg/dL.
What Affects Cholesterol Levels?
A variety of factors affect cholesterol levels, including diet, weight, physical activity, age and genetics. Consuming a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol may increase your blood cholesterol levels. Being overweight and not being physically active are also major risk factors for heart disease. Age and gender cannot be changed, but as men and women get older, cholesterol levels tend to rise. Also, some people may genetically produce more cholesterol in their bodies.
