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Cholesterol:
The good, the bad and
the ways to make it better |
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Good cholesterol? Bad cholesterol? It's confusing! But here's the skinny on the "whys" and "hows" of managing your HDLs and LDLs. It's vital to your health! Cholesterol is a soft, waxy type of fat found in your blood and every cell in your body. It's normal for you to have it and necessary for your health. But too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to heart disease and a heart attack or stroke. Your body makes most of its own cholesterol naturally in the liver, using fats from the food you eat. But cholesterol can also come directly from the animal-based foods you eat, including dairy products, meat and even fish. There are "good" and "bad" types of cholesterol. Both forms are carried through your blood wrapped in special proteins called lipoproteins. LDL vs. HDL Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the bad stuff. It can slowly build up inside the arteries that feed blood to your heart and brain, forming a fatty substance called plaque that narrows these vessels and reduces blood flow. Narrow vessels and reduced flow as well as the plaque itself can lead to a blood clot that blocks the passage. If this happens, you can suffer a heart attack or stroke. The more LDL cholesterol you have in your blood, the higher your risk of heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the good stuff. It protects your body from heart disease by carrying cholesterol out of the arteries and into your liver, where the cholesterol is removed from the body. The more HDL cholesterol you have in your blood, the lower your risk of heart disease. Your doctor will recommend blood tests that reveal your total cholesterol as well as your LDL and HDL levels. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that men be screened beginning at age 35 and women at 45. What levels are acceptable? In the accompanying chart, the National Cholesterol Education Program offers a quick assessment of the numbers. |
Managing your cholesterol Anyone concerned about heart disease should be concerned about cholesterol. But if your total level is higher than 200, your LDL is 130 or higher, or your HDL is lower than 40, you really need to take action. You may be able to manage your cholesterol on your own by changing your diet, exercising regularly, eliminating tobacco use and losing weight if you're overweight. You can make healthy dietary choices by eating more fruits, vegetables, fish, skinless chicken breasts, low-fat or fatfree dairy products, grains, and wholegrain breads. Limit your consumption of high-fat ice cream, butter, baked goods, egg yolks, fried foods and liver. Eat small portions and lean cuts of beef, pork and lamb. And exercise! Some people with high cholesterol don't get much lowering of their LDL even when they change their diet. If diet and lifestyle changes don't bring your cholesterol numbers into line within three to six months, your doctor may prescribe medication to lower your LDL and total levels. Medical treatment is based on your cholesterol level and any other risk factors you may have, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or early heart disease in your family. Statins, the most widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, are very effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels. But if they aren't right for you, your doctor may recommend other medications. Dennis Connaughton is a medical writer in Oak Park, Ill.
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* < means "less than"; > means "greater than" Source: The National Cholesterol Education Program of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute |
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