Good Cholesterol Vs. Bad Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a compound necessary for the production of hormones and cell membranes. Cholesterol is created by the liver, but it can also be found in the diet. Most of the necessary cholesterol is created by the body, so little is needed in the diet. There are two principal types, low-density lipoprotein, or LDL and high-density lipoprotein, or HDL. Too much LDL (bad) cholesterol in the diet can lead to heart disease. Good HDL carries triglycerides to the liver, which gets rid of them. LDL, though, transports triglycerides to the body's tissues, where they can accumulate and cause health problems.

HDL

High density lipoproteins (HDL) are the good kind of cholesterol. HDL is a small molecule, because its high density is mostly protein that compresses in diameter. HDL is responsible for recycling triglycerides by bringing them back to the liver, which is why it's helpful in fighting heart disease caused by plaque buildup in the arteries. The disease is called atherosclerosis, and if it narrows the coronary arteries, blood circulation is limited to the heart, causing a possible heart attack.

LDL

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are the bad cholesterol. These proteins have a larger diameter and a lower protein-to-lipid ratio. Because of its structure, its density is much lower than that of HDLs. It builds up and forms plaque in arterial walls of the heart and brain, reducing the amount of blood to these organs. The narrowing of these arteries increases the chances of heart attack and stroke.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are fat molecules that circulate in the blood. Triglycerides are associated with LDLs, and people with high LDL levels often have high levels of triglycerides. Triglycerides supply energy to the body. Carbohydrates are converted to fats when sugars exceed certain levels, so high sugar consumption leads to increased triglyceride levels.

Lp(a)

Lp(a) is a genetically altered version of cholesterol. Because of its genetic complexity, it is not a well understood molecule. Lp(a) is associated with a high risk of fatty deposits in the arteries that can build up and block blood flow.

Heart Disease

Patients with high LDL levels and low HDL levels may need to change their diet habits. The liver produces the amount of cholesterol needed for daily use, so cholesterol in the diet isn't needed. Eating too much fatty foods like red meat can increase LDL levels, while foods that contain omega-3 fatty acid like fish and flaxseed oil increase the production of HDLs.

References

• American Heart Association