Bad Cholesterol - "Bad" And "Good" CholesterolWe only hear about the 'bad' cholesterol, but besides the cholesterol that causes several medical conditions, there is also a 'good' cholesterol. The body carries two types. LDL is known as the bad cholesterol, and HDL is known as the good cholesterol. For years, it was said that having a high level of HDL was very beneficial to health. Many believed that a high level of HDL provided some kind of protection against heart conditions. Lately however, there has been much attention towards lowering all cholesterol levels, both the LDL and the HDL. Recent studies have actually shown that high levels of HDL is an increase in the risk of heart disease. However, this risk is only in the case of also having a low LDL level. So the original advice about lowering both cholesterol levels, and especially LDL was wrong. Unfortunately, this finding shook the previously knowledge about cholesterol that people had. Additionally, it was later found that even if the LDL cholesterol levels were in normal limits, those that had HDL cholesterol a little lower were also at risk of developing an artery problem. 35 mg/ Dl is a normal HDL cholesterol level. Another question about HDL that always went unanswered was what was it that made HDL 'good' cholesterol? It turns out that the actual cholesterol itself is not good, but the work that it does. HDL cholesterol is a very complex molecule. It is a combination of lipids and proteins that cleans out the walls of blood vessels. HDL cholesterol will actually remove excess cholesterol that is found in your blood. So in other words, the 'good' cholesterol cleans out the 'bad' cholesterol in your blood stream. Eventually the LDL, or 'bad' cholesterol is taken back to the liver for more processing. Therefore, this is why the one cholesterol must be risen in order that the other cholesterol level can be lowered, providing protection from heart conditions. Exercise is a very common practice to raise HDL cholesterol levels. Jogging, bike riding, and even walking can aid in raising your 'good' cholesterol. |