Cholesterol
LDL & HDL
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy fat found in all the cells in the body. There is 2 types of cholesterol; The two types of cholesterol is high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density protein (LDL). HDL picks up extra cholesterol in your blood stream and takes it back to your liver where the cholesterol is broken down. LDL carries cholesterol though the body delivering it to all your organs and tissues which makes it good cholesterol. LDL is only bad if you have too much of it; LDL can be bad because if you have extra it will clog up your blood vessels. (Mayo Clinic)
Why is cholesterol monitored?
Doctors monitor cholesterol because cholesterol isn't able to dissolve. Doctors want to ensure your body doesn't have any cholesterol building up in your arteries. HDL carries 1/3 of total cholesterol; HDL levels greater than 40 mg/dL reduce risk of heart disease. LDL tents to stick in the arteries, too much LDL can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. This is why doctors monitor cholesterol. (eHow)
Additional things doctors check for
Doctors check for triglycerides. Triglycerides are fats that store energy and give muscles energy to use. The doctors check for triglycerides because having high triglycerides and LDL give a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Another thing doctors look for is VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) VLDL contains very little protein and distributes triglycerides produced by the liver. High levels of VLDL can cause cholesterol build up which also leads to strokes and heart disease. (WebMD)
How can you adjust your cholesterol?
Adjusting your cholesterol can be easy. Watching what you eat is the most common way of fixing your cholesterol levels. Look on the food labels for the amount of cholesterol. Find foods that say "Low Cholesterol." You should avoid foods with trans fat of them. Lastly you should cut your saturated fats to less than 7% of your total calories. All of these can help you fix your cholesterol. (WebMD)
Cited Sources
eHow. (n.d.) Why do doctors monitor the concentration of LDL and HDL. Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5660134_do-monitor-concentration-ldl-hdl_.html
The huffington post. (n.d.) 7 tips to fix your cholesterol without medication. Retrieved from.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/lower-cholesterol-naturally_b_815393.html
Mayo Clinic Staff. (Nov. 9, 2012) HDL cholesterol: how to boost your 'good' cholesterol. Retrieved from.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/hdl-cholesterol/art-20046388
WebMD. (Mar. 12, 2014) Cholesterol and triglycerides tests. Retrieved from.
http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/cholesterol-and-triglycerides-tests
WebMD. (n.d.) Understanding cholesterol: diagnosis and treatment. Retrieved from.
http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/understanding-cholesterol-problems-detection-and-treatment
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5660134_do-monitor-concentration-ldl-hdl_.html
The huffington post. (n.d.) 7 tips to fix your cholesterol without medication. Retrieved from.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/lower-cholesterol-naturally_b_815393.html
Mayo Clinic Staff. (Nov. 9, 2012) HDL cholesterol: how to boost your 'good' cholesterol. Retrieved from.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/hdl-cholesterol/art-20046388
WebMD. (Mar. 12, 2014) Cholesterol and triglycerides tests. Retrieved from.
http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/cholesterol-and-triglycerides-tests
WebMD. (n.d.) Understanding cholesterol: diagnosis and treatment. Retrieved from.
http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/understanding-cholesterol-problems-detection-and-treatment