You need to keep track of a few different numbers when it comes to your cholesterol. These include the amount of total cholesterol that you have, as well as the amount of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol and the amount of low-density...
Cholesterol is a waxlike lipid that circulates throughout your body in the bloodstream. Approximately 75 percent of the cholesterol in your body comes from your liver and 25 percent comes from the food you eat. Cholesterol performs some important...
Cholesterol, which travels through your blood, is a lipid that your body uses to create cell membranes and synthesize hormones and bile acids. Since cholesterol is a lipid, it is hydrophobic, which means it repels water. Because your blood is...
Low-density lipoproteins are a type of cholesterol-carrying particle found in the blood, often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol. Increased LDL levels contribute to plaque build up or blockage within the arteries of your heart, increasing your...
Cholesterol has a bad reputation for causing heart disease. About 102 million people in the United States have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 35 million of these Americans have cholesterol levels...
Low density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as LDL cholesterol, is commonly referred to as the "bad" cholesterol. Patients with high levels of this form of cholesterol are at an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis, which is a...
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol has earned the name "bad cholesterol." The average adult's cholesterol is 200 mg/dl -- considered borderline high risk for heart disease -- the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Unlike healthy...
The results of a blood test after you visit the doctor may tell you that your low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol is high. There are many ways you can take to lower your LDL. Your levels of LDL cholesterol are only one among several...
Some cholesterol is healthy to build cells in the body, but the cholesterol derived from saturated fats in food puts patients at risk for heart attack, stroke and heart disease.
Some cholesterol is essential to your child's diet because it promotes cell growth. This good cholesterol, known as high-density lipoprotein, can lower bad cholesterol, which clogs the arteries and can cause heart disease and stroke. This bad...
The term cholesterol encompasses two forms in your body: high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. The low-density version, known as LDL, contributes to heart disease by creating excess plaque on the arteries and impeding blood flow....
You can lower your "bad" cholesterol, known as LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, without Lipitor or with limited medications. Ideally, your LDL cholesterol level should be below 100 mg/dL. LDL cholesterol can be especially dangerous because it...
Cholesterol is a four-ringed molecule. It is classified as a lipid, which means it is fat-soluble like oils, fats and the vitamins A, D, E and K. This is opposed to water-soluble molecules. Cholesterol is synthesized by the body and required for...
You have several different types of cholesterol in your bloodstream, including high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, chylomicrons and very-low-density lipoprotein, each with their own unique properties and jobs. VLDL cholesterol...
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is called "good cholesterol." It is manufactured in the liver to transport lipids, or fats, and cholesterol from internal organs and tissues back to the liver for recycling. Increasing levels of good cholesterol...
Having a high cholesterol level in the bloodstream is a risk factor for developing coronary artery disease, the number one cause of death for American adults. Lowering a high cholesterol level involves lifestyle changes and a change in diet, but...
Cholesterol is a soft, fatty, waxy substance that has various functions in the body that include being a structural part of cell membranes and the production of hormones like cortisol, progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. Cholesterol is also...
Lipids are naturally occurring organic compounds that are often associated with raising blood cholesterol, specifically fats, according Michigan State University's Department of Chemistry. There are several types of lipids that contribute to...
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance located in cells of the body and the bloodstream, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The body needs cholesterol to build and maintain healthy cells. High blood cholesterol levels...
According to the American Heart Association, cholesterol is important for producing cell membranes. Cholesterol is produced naturally in the liver, and from the foods we eat.
If your doctor has suggested it's time to lower your cholesterol, he is talking about your levels of bad cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein. If your doctor approves, you can use over-the-counter supplements to help lower your overall numbers...
Because fats are not soluble in the water in your blood, they must move through your body attached to carrier molecules called lipoproteins. There are three major types of lipoproteins: high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and very...
Cholesterol is sometimes thought of as a component of the diet that contributes to bad health. Excessive calories and fatty foods containing cholesterol can contribute to blood vessel disease in some people. Therefore it is important to see a...
Your have a number of types of lipoprotein in your body. Each type has a different mix of triglycerides, protein and cholesterol. Typically, cholesterol tests measure high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides. However,...
There are two types of cholesterol present in your body, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood and LDL, which is considered to be bad, should be...
Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3 has a number of effects on the body. One of the reasons people take niacin supplements is to increase the levels of HDL cholesterol, also known as "good" cholesterol, in the body. Niacin works by changing the way...
Cholesterol in the blood is normal. Cholesterol is needed to protect nerves, make cell membranes, and produce hormones, says FamilyDoctor.org. Cholesterol is made in the liver. The body is generally able to make enough cholesterol to support...
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance found in most cells of your body. A normal human needs a certain level of cholesterol to function properly; however, the body can usually produce this cholesterol on its own without the need for additional...
The American Heart Association considers any reading under 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood a desirable cholesterol level. A reading of 200 to 239 mg/dL is considered borderline high risk, and a reading of 240 mg/dL and over is considered a...
