Cholesterol is a substance found in cell membranes that is essential for proper health, but too much cholesterol can contribute to heart disease. Lipoproteins, or lipids, carry cholesterol in the blood. There are several types of lipoproteins,...
Cholesterol refers to different types of lipids in your blood stream. A cholesterol test checks your total cholesterol level, as well as the levels of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. HDL levels are generally lower than LDL...
Your total cholesterol reflects a balance of three types of substances in your blood: low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides. Low-density lipoprotein, also called LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides can clog your...
Cholesterol comes in two forms-- HDL and LDL. Your LDL cholesterol is often called "bad cholesterol," and high levels are associated with poor cardiovascular health. Your HDL is generally called "good cholesterol," and high levels improve...
Cholesterol occurs naturally in the body and circulates in the bloodstream as a waxy, fat-like substance. When cholesterol is too high, it can form on artery walls. Lipoproteins travel through the bloodstream with cholesterol in three forms: low...
Doctors stress the importance of lowering blood cholesterol levels, so it may surprise you to learn that cells within the body produce 75 percent of your cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. In addition, because different...
High Density Lipoprotein, or HDL, is a protective form of cholesterol. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2004 guidelines for cholesterol recommend a level of at least 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women. Some people find it easier to...
Even good things can become harmful when present in excess. Although this statement may apply to cholesterol, it's important to distinguish the two major types of cholesterol. Indeed, the American Heart Association associates high levels of LDL...
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, often called the "good" cholesterol, appears to reduce the risk of developing heart disease by transporting cholesterol back to the liver for processing and removal from the body. Raising HDL levels by 1mg per...
A physician measures blood cholesterol by the amount of HDL and LDL in the blood. MayoClinic.com recommends having an HDL -- high-density lipoprotein -- level of 60 mg/dl or higher to lower the risk of developing a heart attack from clogged...
Reduce your risk for heart attack by controlling your cholesterol. More than 100 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and 35 million of these Americans are at high risk for...
Technically, the cholesterol in particles of "good" cholesterol is identical to the cholesterol in particles of "bad" cholesterol. The real difference between "good" and "bad" cholesterol--more accurately called HDL and LDL--is the direction in...
If you've recently had your cholesterol checked, you may have found yourself wondering what your cholesterol levels mean. For instance, you might wonder what the difference is between "good" and "bad" cholesterol, or wonder why it's good to have...
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body forms and maintains in every cell of your body. Cholesterol helps your body to produce hormones and digestive enzymes, and to convert sunlight into vitamin D. You also consume cholesterol in some of...
Your total cholesterol levels include low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) and low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs). A lipoprotein is a fat combined with proteins produced by the liver to make them water soluble. Your...
High-density lipoproteins are a type of lipoproteins that transport fats away from your arteries and bloodstream and into your liver for reprocessing and storage. Although foods do not have HDLs, some contain healthy fats that increase your HDL...
Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol through the blood. Low-density lipoproteins account for most of the body's cholesterol. High amounts of LDL cholesterol in the arteries can cause heart disease. High-density lipoproteins return...
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Each year more than a million Americans have heart attacks and about half a million die from heart disease. HDL is a healthy...
It used to be that nutritionists believed that all cholesterol was bad for you. According to Walter Willett, Harvard nutritionist and author of "Eat, Drink and Be Healthy," science now understands that there are different kinds of cholesterol. One...
High LDL cholesterol is when your level is above 70 mg/dl. If your HDL cholesterol is below 60 mg/dl, then it is considered too low and puts you at risk for heart disease, according to National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your body needs...
The amount of cholesterol in your blood is important for predicting your risk of developing heart disease or a stroke. Your cholesterol levels are controlled by your liver and your diet. Not all kinds of cholesterol are bad for you, however, and...
Your blood cholesterol levels provide your physician with information about your cardiovascular health. Based on your cholesterol, your doctor can tell whether you're at risk for certain diseases, including cardiovascular disease and stroke. A...
Reasons for high HDL and low LDL cholesterol profiles entail living a heart-healthy lifestyle as termed by the American Heart Association. HDL, beneficial cholesterol, helps remove LDL, harmful, cholesterol from your body, according to the...
Your body uses cholesterol to make bile, hormones and cell membranes. The cholesterol in your body is either manufactured by your liver or comes from your diet. Poor cholesterol levels can occur even if your total cholesterol levels are low...
Keeping your HDL or good cholesterol high is not as difficult as you might think. It requires the desire to live a healthy life with a low risk of developing heart disease. Both lifestyle and dietary changes have a large impact on your HDL...
When it comes to your health, differentiating between the good and the bad can be difficult; knowing the difference is vital. HDL, known as the "good" cholesterol, is your ally in the fight against high cholesterol, while LDL, known as the "bad"...
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL for short, is also known as the "good cholesterol." Total cholesterol is based off of this number and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, which is the bad type. Unlike LDL, HDL has a beneficial effect on the body. Not...
High cholesterol is a dangerous health condition wherein cholesterol in the blood attaches itself to artery walls, eventually clogging them and potentially leading to heart disease, stroke and heart attack. One type of cholesterol, high-density...
HDL cholesterol is the high-density lipoprotein that keeps your LDL cholesterol levels in check. When you have a healthy amount of HDL cholesterol in your blood, at least 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/DL for women, your risk of heart disease is...
Grains and cereals, including wheat and rice, are the foundation of a healthy diet and the food pyramid. Try these tips for buying grains and whole grain in this healthy shopping video.
Take control of cholesterol. Learn the facts about cholesterol and tips for lowering cholesterol count in this video.
