About types of cholesterol

There are a total of two different types of cholesterol, and unlike what we may normally think, not all cholesterol is harmful to our bodies. Low-density lipoprotein is the bad type of cholesterol which may clog up blood vessels which in return increases your risk for heart diseases. The second type of cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein which is a good type of cholesterol since it clears the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol out of the blood stream and reduces the overall risk for strokes and heart diseases.

LDL or Bad Cholesterol Level

Low-density lipoproteins are considered as bad cholesterol which circulates throughout the blood streams and they slowly build up within the inner walls of the arteries that connect to the heart and brain. When these low density lipoproteins are combined with other substances, they often form plaque, which can be a thick and hard deposit that can narrow down arteries and make them less flexible. Along with the loss in flexibility, there is a loss in the flow of the blood. This condition is more commonly known as atherosclerosis. When a person is suffering from atherosclerosis, a clot can form and block the narrow arteries which can result in a stroke or even a heart attack.

The levels of low density lipoproteins are better when they are lower, the lower they are, the lower the risk of having a stroke or heart attack is. Overall, there are five categories that the levels fall into, optimal which is less than 100mg/dL, 100 to 129 mg/dL is considered as Near Optimal or Above Optimal, 130 to 159 mg/dL is considered to be Borderline High, 160 to 189 mg/dL is considered as having a High LDL Level, anything above 190 mg/dL falls under something that is Very High.

There are many other risk factors when it comes to heart disease and strokes which can help determine the LDL level of a person as well as give the person a proper and appropriate fitting treatment specifically just for them. A healthy level for one may not always be the same healthy for another friend or person. It is extremely important to be honest and open with your doctors and discuss all available treatments, the differences between levels, and the best plan that works for you overall.

There are many doctors that help profile your cholesterol level which may give you a great starting point as to learning about what you can do to prevent and treat yourself if your LDL cholesterol level is specifically high. Doctors can provide a report with information that you need to fully understand in order to maintain and manage your cholesterol level, the different health risks that may affect you and the available treatments that are open to you.

HDL or Good Cholesterol Levels

HDLs are the smallest lipoprotein particles, however highest proportion of protein makes it dense for the blood. There is a group of lipoproteins which is responsible for the transportation of cholesterol in the blood. Therefore for a healthy, HDL carries about thirty percent of the blood. Their job is to collect the fat on the walls of the arteries, so that it can be excreted.

It is assumed that cholesterol from arteries can be removed by HDL, and send to the liver for reutilization. This is the only reason that makes HDL good cholesterol. Heart diseases are protected by the HDL due to their good nature. Since they act as the barrier for cardiovascular diseases, therefore decrease in HDL may make the human health vulnerable to heart diseases.

HDL level in men is much lower as compared to women; also they are small in size and with lower cholesterol content. This increases the chances for man to have cardiovascular diseases than women. Besides heart low HDL levels also affect the mind, it causes weak memory. In case of low HDL level in the late middle age, person is most likely to become victim of dementia.

Methods are there to raise the HDL level in the blood; these methods make use of fibrates and niacin. These are the substances which eliminate the problem regarding metabolism increasing the efficiency of liver and eliminates the metabolism problems. These are the strongest agents available and tend to raise HDL level up to 10%-30%. Besides that these drugs do not have any side affects.

Balanced and controlled diet can help the body to maintain required HDL level in the blood. HDL level starts decreasing when there is a greater consumption of fats. This weakens the strength of HDL, which then becomes dangerous for the human health, causing heart disease. For that matter physical exercise, especially aerobics can help the body to maintain the cholesterol level in the blood. Excessive weight can cause a lower HDL level. Alcohol can help to raise the HDL level, as in case of alcohol consumption liver needs more and more cholesterol to save it from alcohol. However excess alcohol consumption of alcohol can affect the performance of liver affecting the performance of the HDL.