Two Types Of Cholesterol: The Good And The Bad

You have probably heard that cholesterol is not necessarily bad. And in fact, it is helpful to understand the function of this substance, in order to stay in good health. Cholesterol is a fatty and waxy lipid solution circulating in the human body, which provides protective coating to the arteries and their surrounding walls. Our body needs it to build and maintain the cell membranes. Within these cell membranes, it is needed for things like intracellular transport, cell signaling and nerve conduction. Within the cells, it serves as the precursor molecule in several biochemical pathways. The cholesterol in our body is partially being produced by the body itself, and partially taken in with the food we have. But despite it?s importance for the cells and the whole body, cholesterol can still have some very harmful effects when the healthy limits are passed.

There are two types of cholesterol: We like to call them "good" and "bad". The good one is the High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), while the bad one is the Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). It is important to understand the difference between these two, and it is helpful to know the levels of "good" and "bad" cholesterol in your blood. Too much of one type or not enough of the other one may cause coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and even strokes.

According to studies, HDL (which is the good cholesterol) is very important for the human body as it supplies energy and also completes the fat requirement of the human body. It also helps keep the LDL (the bad one) from getting stuck to your artery walls. A healthy level oh HDL may also protect you against the threat of heart attack and stroke. People who have low HDL are exposed to a higher risk of heart disease. Studies have shown that regular exercise, proper diet and reducing the trans fat intake can help your body produce more HDL.

LDL is the bad cholesterol. When too much of it circulates in the blood, it can result in clogged arteries, which will increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. LDL is produced naturally by the body, but many people inherit LDL related conditions from their parents or grandparents. Common sources of LDL are trans fats, dietary cholesterol, and saturated fats.

If you have a family history of high LDL, lifestyle changes may not be enough to assure a healthy level of LDL in your body. In this case, it is recommended to consult your doctor for finding the best individual treatment for you.

Cholesterol performs many vital and important functions in the human body. It supports the nervous system at the time of sleep and it plays an important role in the process of digestion, as the liver uses cholesterol in synthesizing bile acids. But the bottom line is despite having many important and vital functions, cholesterol can still have very dangerous effects in the wrong combination or quantities.

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