Good and Bad Cholesterol LDL & HDL: What You Should Know

By Remedy Natural

As you age, it pays to mind your cholesterol. Most heart and blood pressure related conditions are linked to the presence of cholesterol in our bodies. But what most people don’t know is that not all cholesterol is bad for the health. In fact there are two kind of cholesterol: cholesterol LDL and cholesterol HDL.

What’s the difference between cholesterol LDL and cholesterol HDL?

Cholesterol LDL, or cholesterol low-density lipoprotein, is the bad kind of cholesterol. These are the cholesterol that builds up in your arteries and produces clots and blocks.

Cholesterol HDL or cholesterol high-density lipoprotein on the other hand, is cholesterol that is protective for our heart. Unlike cholesterol LDL, this kind of cholesterol carry potential blockage back to the liver and away from the arteries. In fact, cholesterol HDL can even clean the build-up cholesterol LDL left behind.

Cholesterol LDL can be found in foods with saturated and trans fats. These foods include most animal fat, margarines, commercial cooking oil and dairy products. Cholesterol HDL, on the other hand, can be found in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These are the fats that you can get from olive oil, peanut oil, oily fishes like tuna and nuts.

For a cholesterol-conscious diet, it is recommended that you just eat lean meat cuts or skinned poultry cooked in healthy vegetable oil. Consider also regular intake of particular seafoods like salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna. If you’re buying something pre-packaged in the store, check the label for saturated and trans fat content.

While it helps to know about the difference between cholesterol LDL and cholesterol HDL, managing your cholesterol is also about making significant lifestyles changes. Weight management would help a lot as individuals who are overweight tend to be more prone to cholesterol LDL build-up. So mind your diet and exercise. Steer clear of vices too such as smoking and alcohol. Both can increase your cholesterol LDL.

There are also diet supplements that can help lower your cholesterol LDL. Omega-3 fatty acids, grapeseed oil and flaxseed oil are available now in capsule form for daily intake. Plant sterols like beta-sitosterol and sitostanol can also help.

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