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.
