What Is the Difference Between Good and Bad Cholesterol?

Cholesterol can be either good or bad cholesterol. These two different types of cholesterol have different effects on the body. It is the bad cholesterol that causes the deposition of cholesterol in the blood vessels and the resulting cardiovascular problems. The good cholesterol does not accumulate in plaques in the same way, and can actually help to promote the health of the heart.

Cholesterol moves around the body in the blood, but it cannot actually be dissolved and transported in the blood unless it is being carried by another type of molecule called a lipoprotein. Two different lipoproteins can carry this waxy steroid in the blood. The difference between good and bad cholesterol is caused by the differences in the lipoprotein carriers. This molecule itself remains the same. It is the carriers that vary.

Bad cholesterol is formed when LDL (or low-density lipoprotein) carries cholesterol. Good cholesterol is formed from the combination of cholesterol and HDL (or high-density lipoprotein). The blood can also contain Lp(a) and triglycerides. Together, these four substances make up the total cholesterol count, which can be assessed by a blood test.

Low-density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol can form plaques or deposits along the walls of the blood vessels when its level in the blood becomes too high. Once these plaques have formed, they can impede blood flow or break off and form clots elsewhere in the circulatory system. When bad cholesterol accumulates in the blood vessels, it can lead to strokes, heart attacks, angina and arthrosclerosis. There is another form of LDL cholesterol, which is known as Lp(a). It exists due to a genetic variation. Lp(a) is the most dangerous type, although it is as yet only poorly understood by science.

High-density lipoprotein (the good stuff) does not accumulate inside the blood vessels like bad cholesterol. The ratio of good to bad is usually between 1:3 and 1:2. It is better for the amount of good cholesterol to be as high as possible compared to the amount of bad. Good cholesterol appears to be able to keep the heart healthy. It can move cholesterol into the liver, which can then move the cholesterol on out of the body. This prevents cholesterol levels in the blood from becoming too high. It is also possible that HDL can remove cholesterol from the blood vessels.

Triglycerides are a sort of fat that are also associated with heart disease. They are produced by the body in response to a fatty diet and an unhealthy lifestyle. People whose blood contains high levels of triglycerides are often found to have high levels of bad and little good. High triglycerides and bad cholesterol make for a particularly dangerous combination.

Nick Savage is an expert in cholesterollevels.org/reviews lowering your cholesterol You can read more of his articles at cholesterollevels.org cholesterollevels.org