LDL
- The BAD Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too
much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly
build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and
brain. Together with other substances LDL can form plaque,
a thick, hard deposit that can clog the arteries. This condition
is known as atherosclerosis. A clot that forms near this plaque
can block the blood flow to part of the heart muscle and cause
a heart attack. If a clot blocks the blood flow to part of
the brain, a stroke results.
A high level of LDL cholesterol (160 mg/dL and above) reflects
an increased risk of heart disease. If you have heart disease,
your LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL. That's
why LDL cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol. Lower levels
of LDL cholesterol reflect a lower risk of heart disease.
There are four very important numbers that tell you about
the level of fats in your blood. Because heart disease is
the No. 1 cause of death for both men and women in America,
these are essential numbers to know, and to have evaluated
on a regular basis.
Most of your total cholesterol is made in
your liver, and the remainder is absorbed from foods. Total
cholesterol should be under 200. Your ideal cholesterol (if
you are under the age of 70) should be 130 + your age. (For
example, if you are 40, a total cholesterol of 170 is just
right.) Since cholesterol is the building material for many
hormones, it is absolutely necessary for health. It is not
true that the lower the number, the healthier you are. There
is some evidence that people with very low cholesterol are
at increased risk for certain cancers and other health problems.
The other numbers you should know are HDL
(High Density Lipoprotein), LDL (Low Density
Lipoprotein), and triglycerides (a type of
fat that is absorbed into the body from food).
Changing your HDL/LDL ratio can have a significant impact
on your risk for heart disease. For every 1 percent drop in
your LDL, your risk for heart attack goes down by 2 percent.
For every 1 percent your HDL goes UP, your risk of a heart
attack goes DOWN by 3.5 percent! Those are some nice odds,
and good reason to take steps to change your numbers in the
right direction.
Cholesterol and diet |
| People get cholesterol
in two ways. The body - mainly the liver - produces varying
amounts, usually about 1,000 milligrams a day. Foods also
can contain cholesterol. Foods from animals (especially egg
yolks, meat, poultry, fish, seafood and whole-milk dairy products)
contain it. Foods from plants (fruits, vegetables, grains,
nuts and seeds) don't contain cholesterol.
Typically the body makes all the cholesterol it needs, so
people don't need to consume it. Saturated fatty acids are
the main culprit in raising blood cholesterol, which increases
your risk of heart disease. Trans fats also raise blood cholesterol.
|
|
