What Is The Difference Between Good and Bad Cholesterol
Serum cholesterol is the measure of total amount of cholesterol in blood such as high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. The amount of total cholesterol in blood can determine the health of an individual.
Why low-density lipoproteins are considered as ‘bad’ cholesterol
Low-density lipoproteins contain more lipids or fats than protein. Unlike high-density lipoprotein, the LDL travels from the liver to cells and arteries. This means that high-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins travel in opposite direction. The HDL travels from the cells and arteries back to the liver.
The LDL is regarded as ‘bad’ cholesterol because it is able to deposit on walls of arteries causing blockage of blood flow. When the LDL cholesterol is deposited on artery walls, the body responds by sending white blood cells to clean up the area lodged with cholesterol. With time, plaque builds up inside the blood vessels thus narrowing the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
At times, the surface of the plaque may rapture causing blood clots, which increase the risk of suffering from a heart attack. The blockage of the artery deprives the cells beyond the blocked area of oxygen and nutrients, something that results to dead or inactive cells. It is recommended that LDL should be kept at low levels, but then again extremely low levels of low-density lipoproteins can cause harm to the body.
Why high-density lipoproteins are regarded as ‘good’ cholesterol
High-density lipoproteins contain fewer lipids than proteins. These cholesterol carrier molecules travel in the opposite direction to the LDL molecules. They travel from the cells and arteries back to the liver. The reason why they are termed as ‘good’ cholesterol is that as they travel from the cells and arteries back to the liver, they help pick and remove the cholesterol lodged in the blood vessels.
These high-density lipoproteins clear the blood vessels of the cholesterols that cause plaque, and blockage and carry them back to the liver. High levels of high-density lipoproteins decrease the risks of suffering from conditions like heart attack and other problems that arise due to effects of low-density lipoprotein.
Is there a recommended serum cholesterol balance or ratio?
The ratio of cholesterol in body can help in determining the health risks a person is subjected to and therefore, there is need to understand the recommended cholesterol ratio. Cholesterol ratio is the amount of HDL in relation to the total serum cholesterol.
If your total cholesterol is 200mg/dl and the high-density lipoprotein- HDL is 50mg/dl, then the cholesterol ratio is 4:1. The recommended ratio is about 5:1 meaning five parts of total serum cholesterol to one part of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A higher cholesterol ratio may indicate higher risk of heart disease while a lower ratio could imply lower risks. The goal is to maintain the cholesterol ratio at about 5:1 or lower.
Why low-density lipoproteins are considered as ‘bad’ cholesterol
Low-density lipoproteins contain more lipids or fats than protein. Unlike high-density lipoprotein, the LDL travels from the liver to cells and arteries. This means that high-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins travel in opposite direction. The HDL travels from the cells and arteries back to the liver.
The LDL is regarded as ‘bad’ cholesterol because it is able to deposit on walls of arteries causing blockage of blood flow. When the LDL cholesterol is deposited on artery walls, the body responds by sending white blood cells to clean up the area lodged with cholesterol. With time, plaque builds up inside the blood vessels thus narrowing the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
At times, the surface of the plaque may rapture causing blood clots, which increase the risk of suffering from a heart attack. The blockage of the artery deprives the cells beyond the blocked area of oxygen and nutrients, something that results to dead or inactive cells. It is recommended that LDL should be kept at low levels, but then again extremely low levels of low-density lipoproteins can cause harm to the body.
Why high-density lipoproteins are regarded as ‘good’ cholesterol
High-density lipoproteins contain fewer lipids than proteins. These cholesterol carrier molecules travel in the opposite direction to the LDL molecules. They travel from the cells and arteries back to the liver. The reason why they are termed as ‘good’ cholesterol is that as they travel from the cells and arteries back to the liver, they help pick and remove the cholesterol lodged in the blood vessels.
These high-density lipoproteins clear the blood vessels of the cholesterols that cause plaque, and blockage and carry them back to the liver. High levels of high-density lipoproteins decrease the risks of suffering from conditions like heart attack and other problems that arise due to effects of low-density lipoprotein.
Is there a recommended serum cholesterol balance or ratio?
The ratio of cholesterol in body can help in determining the health risks a person is subjected to and therefore, there is need to understand the recommended cholesterol ratio. Cholesterol ratio is the amount of HDL in relation to the total serum cholesterol.
If your total cholesterol is 200mg/dl and the high-density lipoprotein- HDL is 50mg/dl, then the cholesterol ratio is 4:1. The recommended ratio is about 5:1 meaning five parts of total serum cholesterol to one part of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A higher cholesterol ratio may indicate higher risk of heart disease while a lower ratio could imply lower risks. The goal is to maintain the cholesterol ratio at about 5:1 or lower.
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