How to Interpert HDL Vs. LDL

HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) are two types of lipoproteins that are found in the body. The function of HDL is to carry cholesterol to the liver to be renewed or excreted through bile. Both of these types of lipids are two of the factors that are added up to obtain a total number of cholesterol in the body. There are a few ways to distinguish HDL from LDL in the body.

Instructions

• 1

  Look at which type of lipoprotein is good and which is bad. HDL is good cholesterol and LDL is bad cholesterol. A high amount of HDL in the body contributes to overall health and wellness, and a high amount of LDL can cause heart attack or stroke because of the plaque that it creates in the arteries. A person that have below 40 mg of HDL in his body is at a higher risk for developing heart disease.

• 2

  Figure out what HDL and LDL do inside of the body. HDL performs healthy functions, such as taking excess cholesterol to the liver to either be revived or taken out of the body. LDL does not perform such healthy functions; it runs into things in the body and leaves its mark everywhere that it can.

• 3

  Realize that most of the time there is a higher count of LDL in the body than there is HDL. HDL will pick up stray LDL when they are maneuvering through the body, but because of the imbalance of lipoproteins, there is always an excess amount of LDL. These stray LDL help to create plaque in the arteries.

• 4

  Understand that the number of HDL in the body can only be increased by doing things that aren't always fun, such as running or doing aerobics and by eating healthy. Those activities will also help to lower the number of LDL. LDL is increased by doing easy things, such as laying on the couch and eating unhealthy foods. That also lowers the number of HDL.