What is the Difference Between HDL Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol

Along with smoking and high blood pressure, high cholesterol is one of the main risk factors for heart disease. You can lower your blood cholesterol levels through healthy eating, exercise, and medication.

The two main types of cholesterol are high density lipoproteins (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, and low density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol. Some cholesterol is needed by the body, but high levels can be dangerous.

Here’s a breakdown of HDL and LDL, including what makes one good and the other bad, as well as what a person can do to control their levels.

HDL vs LDL cholesterol

LDL cholesterol is often referred to as bad cholesterol. If there is too much LDL cholesterol in the blood, it builds up in the walls of the blood vessels, causing them to narrow and stiffen. A buildup of LDL cholesterol reduces blood flow and can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

HDL or good cholesterol can move LDL cholesterol from the blood to the liver, which breaks it down for disposal as waste. HDL cholesterol is called good cholesterol because it lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood. High HDL is linked to a reduced risk of heart attack and heart disease.

What are the ideal ranges?

Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg / dL). The Safe Source recommendations for healthy cholesterol are:

– Total cholesterol level less than 2 g / L
– An LDL cholesterol level is considered normal when it is less than 1.6 g / l.
– HDL cholesterol must be less than or equal to 2g / l

Ratio of total cholesterol to HDL

The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol can help a person know if they are getting enough good cholesterol and limit sources of bad cholesterol. It can be measured by dividing total cholesterol by the HDL level. Ideally, the ratio should be less than 4. The lower the number, the healthier a person’s cholesterol level. Total cholesterol fluctuates, so more than one blood test may be needed for an accurate assessment. Levels can change after a meal, which is why a blood test is sometimes done in the morning before breakfast. The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL is a better marker of heart disease risk than LDL cholesterol alone.

Non-HDL cholesterol

Another method of assessing cholesterol levels is by calculating the level of non-HDL cholesterol. It is measured by subtracting HDL cholesterol from total cholesterol. This method is considered more accurate by some doctors because it includes very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels in the calculation. Just like LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol can also build up inside the walls of blood vessels, which is undesirable. Ideally, the level of non-HDL cholesterol should be less than 130 mg / dL. A value greater than this number increases the risk of heart disease.

Causes of high LDL cholesterol

Causes of high LDL cholesterol include:

– Eat a diet high in saturated fat: Diets high in saturated and hydrogenated fat can increase LDL cholesterol levels.

– Inactivity: Not getting enough exercise can lead to weight gain, which is linked to increased cholesterol levels.

– Obesity: Overweight people have an increased risk of having high cholesterol.

– Smoking: A chemical in cigarettes lowers HDL cholesterol levels and damages the lining of blood vessels, which can increase the risk of hardening of the arteries.

– Medical conditions: Some of these can affect LDL cholesterol levels, including type 2 diabetes, an inactive thyroid, kidney or liver problems, and alcohol dependence.

– Menopause: In some women, the cholesterol level can increase after menopause.

– Genetics: Familial hypercholesterolemia (HF) is an inherited form of high cholesterol that puts people at risk for early heart disease.

How to lower LDL levels

The following lifestyle changes can help lower LDL cholesterol levels:

– maintain a healthy weight
– exercise regularly
– stop smoking
– take a niacin supplement (vitamin B-3).
Some studies have shown that vitamin B-3 can lower LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL. It is important to talk to a doctor before taking niacin supplements.

People who are trying to lower their LDL cholesterol levels should also avoid consuming saturated and trans fats.

Foods to avoid are:

– cakes, cookies and pastries
– frozen ready meals, such as frozen pizzas
– margarine
– fried fast foods
– candies filled with cream
– donuts
– ice cream
– prefabricated breakfast sandwiches
– the chips

Here are some more diet tips to help prevent LDL levels from spiking

– Change the source of fat: Replace saturated fat with nut and seed oils or monounsaturated fat from olive oil, avocado.
– Increase your fiber intake: A diet high in fiber is believed to be good for total blood cholesterol levels. The soluble fibers found in fruits, vegetables and oats are particularly beneficial.

– Eat more garlic: Garlic is rich in compounds that can help lower blood cholesterol. The beneficial effects are only felt if garlic is consumed regularly for more than 2 months.

How to increase HDL levels

HDL cholesterol levels can be improved by eating fatty fish, such as mackerel.

A variety of things can improve HDL cholesterol levels, including:

– Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids can lower blood cholesterol when consumed as part of a balanced diet. The highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish, such as mackerel, trout, herring, sardines, fresh tuna, salmon, and halibut. Studies suggest that consuming 2 to 3 servings of fatty fish per week can increase HDL levels in the blood.

– Brightly Colored Fruits and Vegetables: The antioxidants in brightly colored fruits and vegetables have been shown to improve HDL cholesterol levels.

– Regular exercise: Research shows that exercise and physical activity can increase HDL levels.

High LDL cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, but it can often occur without any symptoms. It is recommended that people over 40 have a blood test to check their cholesterol level and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL.