Low density lipoprotein or LDL is a type of cholesterol. It is the most prevalent cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol is an important substance that is found in the membranes of all the cells in your body. It is essential for the proper functioning of your body in small amounts. Your total blood cholesterol levels include your high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels. High levels of cholesterol is associated with an increased risk for heart disease.
Sources of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is found in foods primarily of animal origin such as organ meats like liver and kidney along with other red meats. It is also made by the liver in the human body. Since the body makes cholesterol, adding more cholesterol through a diet high in fats and cholesterol may cause your blood cholesterol levels to go up.
LDL Functions
According to the book "Fundamentals of Protein Structure and Function," cholesterol is an essential part of cell membranes in your body. Low density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol is important in cell maintenance. LDL is transported by the blood to all the cells in the body, where they are incorporated into their cell membranes by LDL receptors. LDL cholesterol at high levels can put you at risk for heart disease, such as a heart attack and a stroke.
Heart Disease and LDL
When LDL travels through the blood, it can slowly accumulate on the walls of the arteries that supply the heart with blood. Oxidation of LDL on the walls of the blood vessels leads to the formation of plaque. This situation is also called atherosclerosis. The blood vessels are usually elastic, but in the presence of plaque they become rigid. Blood flow to the heart can be reduced or entirely cut off by plaque leading to angina or a heart attack.
Lowering LDL Levels
According to the American Heart Association, high cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Too much LDL in your blood raises this risk. There are, however, things you can do to lower your LDL levels. The National Heart Blood and Lung Institute suggests that eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, being more physically active and losing weight if you are overweight may lower your LDL levels.
Recommendations
Your total blood cholesterol level includes the amount of low density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides in your body. The American Heart Association states that total blood cholesterol level of less than 200mg/dl is desirable and can put you at low risk for heart disease in the absence of other heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. It goes on to suggest that you should check your cholesterol levels checked every five years or according to your doctor's recommendations.
References
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: How You Can Lower Your Cholesterol Level
- American Heart Association: What Can Cholesterol Do?
- American Heart Association: What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
- "Fundamentals of Protein Structure and Function"; Engelbert Buxbaum; 2007
