Good Vs. Bad Cholesteral

Cholesterol is a fat that is essential to healthy cells, but not all cholesterol is good. Bad cholesterol can build up in the bloodstream, increasing your risk for heart disease.

Significance

• Some cholesterol is made in the body, but both types of cholesterol can increase by consuming foods containing cholesterol.

Types

• Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is considered bad cholesterol because it collects in the arteries. Good cholesterol is known as high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, which carries low-density lipoprotein back to the liver.

Identification

• A doctor can identify the good and bad cholesterol levels in the blood by administering a cholesterol test, where blood is drawn and both cholesterol levels, as well as total cholesterol, are monitored.

Effects

• High levels of bad cholesterol can cause heart attacks, heart disease and stroke. High levels of good cholesterol can cause lower levels of bad cholesterol.

Prevention/Solution

• Bad cholesterol can be lowered by losing weight, taking cholesterol medication, and limiting saturated fats and trans fats. Good cholesterol can be raised by quitting smoking and eating foods that raise HDL such as nuts and olive oil.