What Is LDL “Bad” Cholesterol?
We hear a lot of talk about a variety of kinds of cholesterol: good, bad, HDL, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, lipids and more. If you’re not a medical professional, all somewhat confusing.
The goal of this post is to enlighten you as to what LDL cholesterol is – the type that’s also known as “bad” cholesterol – and the role it plays in overall cholesterol health.
First, it’s probably a good idea to do a quick refresher on exactly what cholesterol is and the relationship between cholesterol and fat.
Cholesterol, literally translated, means “solid alcohol from bile.” It’s a fatty substance that floats in our bloodstream. We get cholesterol from two places: some comes from our own bodies – mostly in the liver – and some comes from the food we eat. Cholesterol cannot move through the bloodstream on its own. It has to be attached to a protein. This combination of protein and cholesterol is known to doctorsas a lipoprotein.
LDL is an abbreviation for “low density lipoprotein.” This is the so-called “bad” cholesterol you hear about. One of our cardiologists acquaintances says it’s easy to remember if you think of it as “low down and lousy.” LDL tends to stick to the walls of your arteries, building up in the form of something called plaque. This is the material that causes hardening of the arteries and leads to heart disease or a stroke.
There’s another typeof lipoprotein that’s exactly the opposite. It’s the “good” cholesterol you hear people talking about. This type is known as HDL or “high density lipoprotein.” HDL is considered to be “good” cholesterol because it grabs onto the bad cholesterol and sweeps it through the bloodstream to the liver. From there, it’s removed from of the body.
LDL lurks in what are known as “bad fats,” particularly saturated fats and trans fats. These are abundant in most food that comes from animals (especially red meat), oils like the kind used to cook french fries in fast food restaurants, prepackaged and processed foods, and baked goods like donuts and cake.
By avoiding these fats, and eating heart-friendly foods such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy meats like poultry and fish, you can decrease your LDL and increase your LDL..
If you’re generally not familiar with medical terminology, it may be difficult to remember which kind of cholesterol is good and which is bad. Try to keep in mind that LDL stands for low density and HDL stands for high density. Where cholesterol is concerned, low density is bad and high is good. Our cardiologist friend has a saying that might make it easier: “Low has got to go…”
By working to maintain low levels of LDL and high levels of HDL, you are increasing your overall health, while reducing your chances of heart attack and stroke. When you combine healthy eating with regular exercise, you greatly increase your overall well being and keep your cholesterol at healthy levels.
When you have your cholesterol tested, your doctor will probably explain your numbers in terms of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL levels. Ideal HDL is 60 mg/dL or higher. Your ideal LDL level should be 100 mg/dL or lower. Your doctor may also express the relationship between LDL and HDL as a ratio. The lower the ratio of LDL over HDL, the better.
Many people generally don’t start getting their cholesterol checked regularly until the approach their 40s and 50s – and maybe not even then. But doctors and medical researchers now say you should get into the habit earlier – even in your teens or 20′s. This is because so many young people today grow up eating calorie-rich, high fat diets. Meanwhile, they’re getting less and less exercise. Doctors are seeing cholesterol levels rise in younger people much sooner than they should, and this is a growing concern.
