Low cholesterol is usually considered healthy, but that isn't always the case. Your body produces more than one type of cholesterol -- low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein. Although your LDL cholesterol is the primary culprit...
In the United States, one of the main buzz topics in health is the common problem of having too high of cholesterol. The cholesterol topic has gained in popularity largely due to the effects high cholesterol can have on the body, especially your...
High-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol is called the good cholesterol because of its healthy effects. On the other hand low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol plays a major role in heart disease by sticking to the artery walls and causing...
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are lipids in the blood that pick up cholesterol and carry it away from plaque lining the arteries. This lends them the term "good" cholesterol. High HDL levels (>60 mg/dL) can protect against heart disease.
Numerous conditions can cause extremely low cholesterol levels. According to Dr. Dicken Weatherby, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis," decreased levels of cholesterol can lead to nervous system...
Both blood pressure and cholesterol levels affect heart health. High blood pressure and high cholesterol both carry associated risks--high blood pressure leads to potential organ damage within many systems, and high cholesterol can cause heart...
Numerous conditions can cause low cholesterol levels. According to MayoClinic.com, a low blood cholesterol level is usually considered good by the medical community, although having a low level of low-density lipoproteins -- LDLs -- or low total...
High-density lipoprotein is considered good cholesterol because it has been shown to play a role in preventing cholesterol buildup in the arteries. Also, having high levels of HDL cholesterol lowers your risk of heart disease and heart attack,...
Carnitine is a compound produced by your body from the essential amino acids, lysine and methionine. In general, American adults tend to consume about 60 to 180 mg of carnitine per day, mostly from red meat and animal products. In your body,...
Numerous factors can cause your high-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, to be low. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), high levels of HDL, also known as good cholesterol, may protect you against heart attack. Medical experts...
Despite colloquial terminology -- "good" and "bad" cholesterol -- that suggests there are two kinds of cholesterol, in fact, there's only one cholesterol molecule. The difference between "good" cholesterol, more properly called HDL, and "bad"...
A blood cholesterol test reveals the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides in your bloodstream. A lipid screening also calculates your total cholesterol, based on a formula that combines LDL and...
High cholesterol levels put you at elevated risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Very low cholesterol levels may put you at risk for some other types of disease, including cancer. Very low triglycerides, a type of fat in your bloodstream,...
Many biological and dietary factors affect your cholesterol level, including saturated fat intake, liver function and hormone production. Early scientific studies such as the one published in the 1916 issue of "The Journal of Biological Chemistry"...
Improving your cholesterol is often a beneficial side effect of dieting. But it is a misconception that all cholesterol is unhealthy and should be lowered. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, LDL, or low-density lipoprotein,...
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all body cells. Your body needs cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D and substances to help you digest foods. If you are concerned about your cholesterol, you may be worried about heart...
High cholesterol is a serious medical condition that increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. While HDL, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is protective and desirable, LDL, or low-density...
Although the gap between heart disease in men and women is closing, there are still differences in the average age of onset of symptoms and in the causes of heart disease in men and women. Some of these are caused by physiological differences in...
How many calories you eat has little to no effect on your cholesterol count, the Mayo Clinic explains. What really matters is the foods that comprise those calories.
LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is the cholesterol that causes the buildup of plaque in the arteries. High levels of LDL in the blood increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and other vascular disease. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein reduces...
Your body needs some cholesterol to survive, and not all types of cholesterol are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. A high HDL cholesterol level has been shown to have a protective effect against heart disease, so the goal is to raise...
You may have heard many of the warnings about the dangers of high cholesterol levels, however; low cholesterol is also a medical concern. Although cholesterol is dangerous if your total is above 200 mg/dL, you still need to have some cholesterol...
If you're like most people, the mention of the word "cholesterol" probably conjures up negative ideas because of its famed association with heart disease. Yet your body needs this soft, waxy substance to remain healthy. It serves as as a component...
Your body needs cholesterol to produce cells, hormones, digestive salts and vitamin D, according to the Nemours Foundation. However, if your body has more cholesterol than it needs, this waxy substance can build up in your arteries, putting you at...
It is vital to your health to determine the source of your high cholesterol level. A high cholesterol level can lead to cardiovascular disease resulting in heart attack or stroke. Every 1 percent drop in your cholesterol reduces your risk for...
Your body needs cholesterol to make certain hormones and give structure to cell walls. Most of the cholesterol you need is produced in the liver, but you also get additional cholesterol from eggs, red meat and shellfish. Blood tests can measure...
"Bad" cholesterol is low density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol. It causes clots and plaque in arteries, leading to heart disease and stroke. Diet and exercise are the two most important factors for improving LDL cholesterol levels. To...
Whether you drink one cup of coffee every now and then or five cups a day, there is a potential risk to consuming this drink, according to some research. Studies at the Baylor College of Medicine and elsewhere have identified a link between coffee...
High cholesterol can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. Therefore, controlling your cholesterol levels is important for preventing cardiovascular disease. Simvastatin is a common medication prescribed to lower total cholesterol...
