You know you shouldn’t have high cholesterol but what is it exactly? Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in all your cells and actually helps build your body’s cells and certain hormones. Triglycerides are stored unused calories and provide the body with energy. Cholesterol and triglycerides travel through the blood stream attached to proteins, called lipoproteins. Having healthy cholesterol levels lowers your risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease. Sounds pretty good, right? Keep reading to understand more about the components of a lipid panel and some ways to increase or decrease your numbers.
Total Cholesterol: LDL + HDL + 20% of your triglyceride level.
Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL): This is often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol. These lipoproteins carry cholesterol through the bloodstream to different organs and tissues. This is a good thing, however if there is excess circulating through your system, over time the LDL cholesterol can enter the blood vessels and start to build up under the blood vessel lining. This is known as plaque. The plaque causes narrowing of the blood vessel walls which can eventually block blood flow and cause coronary artery disease. Your LDL level should be less than 130. If you are diabetic or have coronary artery disease, the level should be less than 100.
High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL): Where there is bad, there must be good! The HDL is your “good” cholesterol. These lipoproteins travel through the blood looking for the bad cholesterol. Once they pick up the excess cholesterol, they bring it back to the liver where it can be broken down. The more good cholesterol you have, the less bad cholesterol you’ll have. Women should have an HDL level greater than 50 and men should have a level greater than 40 (testosterone lowers HDL, therefore men can have a lower level).
Triglycerides: These are the most common fats found in the body. After you eat, your body immediately converts unused calories to triglycerides and stores them in fat cells. Hormones will rel