For a long time cholesterol in totality was seen as a bad thing for your body although the truth was a little more complicated than that. Cholesterol primarily is divided into two types, one of which can be categorized as bad cholesterol and the other as good cholesterol. Let's have an in-depth look at both the categories.
LDL or Low Density Lipoprotein aka bad cholesterol: Cholesterol is a wax like chemical, which is found all over the body and it has important functions to perform. Cholesterol is carried all over the body by Lipoproteins. The low density lipoproteins are denoted as bad cholesterol as they can accumulate on the walls of the blood vessels and cause blockages in heart arteries, resulting in many ailments. LDL levels of 190 and above are considered dangerous.
Some of the risks associated with it are:
1. Heart disease
2. Stroke
3. Atherosclerosis
4. Peripheral artery disease among many others
HDL or High Density Lipoprotein aka good cholesterol: This is a form of cholesterol which is usually desired in higher quantities as it removes LDL from the system by dislodging it from the arteries and then carrying it through the blood stream into the liver. The liver then breaks it down and removes it from the body. Thus, higher number of HDL cholesterol is always desirable.
Some of the ideal numbers for HDL cholesterol within the body are:
Women - Ideal: 60 mg/dl, dangerous: 50 mg/dl or lower
Men - Ideal: 60 mg/dl, dangerous: 50 mg/dl lower
The role of triglycerides
Good and bad cholesterol levels also depend on the levels of triglycerides within the body and not just LDL or HDL cholesterol. Triglycerides are another type of fat which are used to store energy within the body but can also affect your health. It is most associated with atherosclerosis when the levels of triglycerides are high within the body.
Some habits that contribute to high levels of it are:
a. Lack of physical activity
b. Obesity or being overweight
c. Excesses in alcohol consumption
d. Smoking
e. Bad diet and others
Thus the good cholesterol versus bad cholesterol war also includes other factors, most of which can be easily changed by making subtle changes in lifestyle and incorporating healthier habits. This will increase the good cholesterol and the other relevant elements and reduce the bad. You can consult a cardiologist for more details.
Written by
Ashka9
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I know...the source of this information is a site called lybrate which is good for general information. Some good doctors also give good advise when asked free question on this site. I consult doctors on minimum payment also on this site and believe me it is really better consultation way where you can consult for a week than going in person where doctor just gives us only 10-15 mins time.
I have specifically written this post for healthy limits of HDL....which is always low in most of the people...<50 is dangerous.
What I think is Physical activity also plays an important role in lipid levels and BS levels also.
See below the list of important emerging risk biomarkers for cardiovascular disease where you can infer from it, how important lipid levels are...
I don't know Anup why you are so biased regarding all doctors in general. All doctors are not same. They have a strong educational background, technical expertise, experience of patients with various complications. We should listen to them in addition to our knowledge that we acquire in haphazard way on internet.
Moreover, sometimes I read an article or information on internet on various website and I either bookmark it or if I wish to refer again and store it for my reference later, I copy paste that article in my email and send it to myself. So, some of the posts I copy paste then from my email so source not available....immediately or I have to search where I may not get it.
See below the list of important emerging risk biomarkers for cardiovascular disease where you can infer from it, how important lipid levels are...
Thanks for appreciation. However, ideal level of Triglycerides should be <100 as I learnt from this forum members.
If your triglycerides are more than 150
if your triglycerides are more than 150 you are insulin resistant without any doubt you should bring them near to 100. As the amount of excess insulin in your body leads to more tri glycerides. Let us see how to reduce triglycerides.
Eliminate or reduce sweets and Alcohol
Decrease intake of Refined Carbohydrates
Choose foods rich in Omega 3 FATS and consume raw garlic
Use oils like Olive oil, Coconut oil, rice bran oil, canola oil, walnut oil and flaxseed oil
choose high fibre foods like steel cut Oats and plant based proteins.
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