|  | Conditions Treatments | Heart Disease

Why is HDL Good Cholestrol?

Cholesterol is a waxy material found in the bloodstream. Because cholesterol is dissolvable in fats, rather than in water, it is categorized as a lipid. It is only found in animal tissues and is not considered to be a true fat. Most cholesterol is made in and released from the liver while dietary absorption counts for the other small percentage. Most people think that cholesterol is bad for you, but that is not the whole truth. It is vital to maintaining healthy functioning of the body. The problem with cholesterol is that the body produces most of what is needed, and due to poor dietary choices, many people add way too much.

  1. Lipoproteins

    • Due to the fact that various parts of the body need cholesterol, a remarkable system has been set in place. It begins in the liver, where production and excretion takes place. Because cholesterol does not mix with blood, similar to oil and water, it attaches itself to a protein for transport. This combination is defined as a lipoprotein. There are two main types: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

    Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL)

    • Low-density lipoproteins are considered "bad" because they carry a substantial amount of cholesterol away from the liver to the body. Low-density lipoproteins are damaging to the arteries because of their low density, which allows for easy attachment to walls of blood vessels. This attachment increases the accumulation of plaque (atherosclerosis) inside arteries, leading to such health detriments as heart attacks and strokes. In order to keep the body running smoothly, LDL levels should be maintained below a level of about 130mg per deciliter.

    High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL)

    • High-density lipoproteins are considered the "good" cholesterol because they carry extra cholesterol back to the liver to be excreted from the body. They are thought to act like trash collectors moving throughout the body clearing away plaque and other waste as it flows through the blood stream back to the liver. These actions have the opposite effects of LDL, lowering a person's risk for heart attacks and strokes. HDL levels should be maintained at a level of 60mg per deciliter or above.

    Increasing HDL

    • How can you increase your HDL level? It is similar to the guidelines that most health professionals list as ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. By exercising regularly, not smoking, losing weight or maintaining a normal weight, eating a high-fiber, low-fat diet, using monounsaturated fats as primary fat, and having moderate alcohol consumption, the HDL level should rise.

    Conclusion

    • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is good cholesterol because it removes the extra cholesterol from the body through the liver. Too much LDL can coat and stick to arteries, causing a buildup of plaque and narrowing of arteries. HDL functions to remove plaque and other waste. Research has shown that higher levels of HDL can lead to a longer life expectancy. People should be tested on a regular schedule set by a health care provider to make sure lipoprotein levels are within normal ranges.

Heart Disease - Related Articles