Tuesday, January 15, 2013

What Is Bad And Good Cholesterol




What Is Bad And Good Cholesterol

With so many advertisements in magazines that are published and displayed on television, you may be touched to see at least one related to cholesterol. You've probably seen several that deal with drugs to reduce LDL cholesterol and HDL, among others. With so much information, you probably have wondered what does it all mean. And although it seems that is a very complicated issue, it is appropriate to report and learn about cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance is, as fat, blood and body cells. And like most things in life, small amounts can be beneficial, while abundance may cause damage. For example, cholesterol is important because it helps to form the membranes of cells, hormones and also have other functions. But if cholesterol levels are too high, then it can become a risk factor for coronary heart disease. If your total cholesterol level is below 200 mg / dL, the risk of heart attack is relatively low, unless you have other risk factors.

Since cholesterol and fats can not dissolve in the blood, they are transported from cell to cell by special carriers called lipoproteins. Precisely for these chemicals is derived all the explanation of LDL and HDL. LDL stands for low density lipoprotein is the major transporter of cholesterol in the body. If too much LDL cholesterol (160 mg / dL or more) increases the amount of plaque in arteries, possibly causing a heart attack or stroke. This is why LDL cholesterol is sometimes called "bad" cholesterol.

HDL stands for high density lipoprotein, and is responsible for transport between third and fourth of blood cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is also known as "good" cholesterol. This is due to the belief that transports cholesterol from the arteries to the liver, where our body is able to remove it. It also is believed to decrease the formation of platelets.

American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that daily cholesterol intake should be less than 300 mg. If you have heart disease, your cholesterol intake should not exceed 200 mg. One way to help control the amount of cholesterol in your body is to reduce consumption of foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol. The following foods are generally derived from animals: butter, cream, egg yolks, fatty meats and sausages or fried. Instead of consuming these foods, it is recommended that your diet is high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products low in fat or fat, lean meat and fish.

Another way of controlling cholesterol is to exercise. In some people, exercise can increase HDL cholesterol. It can also help control weight, diabetes and hypertension. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing heart disease.

Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption are two ways to help control your cholesterol. According to AHA, smoking helps lower HDL cholesterol levels in your body, which is one of the main factors for developing heart disease.

If the above recommendations coupled with the help of your doctor is not enough to lower your cholesterol, there are medications available that may help. Talk with your doctor to see if these could be beneficial for you.


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