LDL and HDL Cholesterol: What's Bad and What's Good?

Cholesterol can’t dissolve in the blood. It has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins.
LDL or what is called low-density lipoprotein is a bad cholesterol actually, and the HDL "the high-density lipoprotein" is the good one.


LDL (Bad) Cholesterol
When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible which causes heart attack.




HDL (good) Cholesterol
About one-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
 and because that the high levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack so that's why HDL cholesterol is called the good cholesterol.
Low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) also increase the risk of heart disease. Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body.


 Cholesterol Levels

Risk Category	Bad Cholesterol Target Level
Lower Risk	<160 mg/dL
Moderate Risk	<130 mg/dL
High Risk	<100 mg/dL
Very High Risk	<70 mg/dL

LDL CHOLESTEROL IS FOUND IN THESE FOODS


Dairy Foods
Some dairy foods contain LDL cholesterol in the form of saturated fats.  Dairy foods containing LDL include milk, mayonnaise, butter, eggnog, cream, hard and soft cheeses, cottage cheese, sour cream, ice cream and yogurt.
Red Meats
LDL cholesterol is found in a variety of red meats such as lamb, beef, pork and veal.
Processed Meats
Like some processed meats such as sausage, cold cuts, pepperoni, bologna and hot dogs.
Foods That Contain Trans Fats.
like baked goods such as cakes, pies, cookies or snack foods like potato chips.


Here are some videos

                      Understanding Cholesterol

                3 Paths  to Lower Cholesterol

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