Cholesterol
By Kartikay Rathore & Milan Thakkar
LDL
LDL is low desnsity lipoprotein. The function of LDL is transports proteins in and out of cells. However can buildup in your arteries and for plaque. Plaque will narrow your ateries and may develop clots which may go to your heart and brain and cause heart attack or stroke.
HDL
Not all cholestrol is bad. HDL or high density lipoprotein keeps cholesterol away from your arteries and remove excess arterial plaque, helping prevent heart disease.
Why is it important to monitor both LDL & HDL?
Physicians monitor these two factors because their levels in the blood help doctors to evaluate a person’s health status and to determine whether a person is at risk for cardiovascular disease.
How are the concentrations of HDL & LDL associated with heart disease & other disorders?
High levels of LDL can increase your chance of heart disease due to the narrowing of nessasary blood vessels. While having good amount of HDL ill decrease your chance of heart issues because they clean up excess build up in the arteries. Try to balance them to ensure proper artery health.
Any other molecules i should be monitoring?
- VLDL or Very Low Density Lipoprotein which distributes triglycerides throughout the body. Like LDL it will stick to the walls of the arteries creating plaque
- Triglycerides are a type of lipid. When you eat your body converts unused calories into these which then can be used for energy. Once again stick to walls of a persons arteries creating plaque.
What can you do to change your LDL & HDL levels?
THe best way to change your LDL and HDL levels is by changing your eating habits and do regular aerobic excericse
What does the Test mean?
The results of the test measure the amount in mg of cholesterol, divided into LDL, ADL, and triglycerides in a deciliter of blood. The LDL in your blood is considered the "bad" cholesterol, which clots up the walls of arteries and leads to the development of plaque in the arteries. The HDL in your blood is considered the "good" cholesterol and helps to remove the LDL in your blood.
How does unsaturated, saturated, and trans fats affect my cholesterol levels and my overall health?
The intake of unsaturated fats affect cholesterol levels because it improves blood cholesterol levels by lowering the amount of LDL in the bloodstream. Unsaturated fats also ease inflammation and stabilize heart beats. The intake of saturated fats and trans fats affect cholesterol levels because it raises the amount of LDL in the blood.
LDL Cholesterol & HDL Cholesterol
Information received from:
- Good vs. Bad Cholesterol. (n.d.). Retrieved December 27, 2014, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/Good-vs-Bad-Cholesterol_UCM_305561_Article.jsp
- Cholesterol Tests: Get Facts on Fasting and Test Results. (n.d.). Retrieved December 27, 2014, from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cholesterol_tests/article_em.htm
- High cholesterol. (n.d.). Retrieved December 27, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/triglycerides/art-20048186