For many people, the word cholesterol has been highly associated with negativities concerning one’s overall health. People are avoiding the consumption of cholesterol with the belief that it can cause serious medical problems such as heart conditions. Little do most people know that there are actually two major types of cholesterol the body gets access to. Determining and understanding the difference between HDL and LDL is a good start to improve one’s health condition.
LDL, or Low Density Lipoprotein, is just one of the five groups of lipoproteins in the body. Their main function is to allow the transport of lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides through the bloodstream. LDL particles have the capacity to carry cholesterol to the artery and be retained there. As a result, macrophages are attracted, which causes plaques to be formed. The vulnerable ones end up rupturing while blood clotting starts to occur. All these can be manifested in a case of stroke or a heart attack.
Basically, LDL is considered to be the bad cholesterol. In cases when too much of LDL is present in the blood, it can be really harmful to the body. There are different methods of lowering the levels of LDL in the body. Medications that are equipped with HM-CoA reductase inhibiting properties can be really helpful. Dietary changes can also work in achieving this goal. Lessening the amount of body fats stored in the body is best way to do it.
HDL, or High Density Lipoprotein shares LDL’s membership of the five groups of lipoproteins. They let the lipids be transported through the bloodstream. Around 30 percent of the blood cholesterol healthy people have in their bodies are brought by HDL. This kind of lipoprotein is the smallest of the group and is also the densest one since they have the largest proportion of protein.
HDL cholesterol is considered to be the good cholesterol. Higher levels of this can significantly help out with the possibilities of a heart attack (coronary artery disease). Consequently, if the body does not have ample amount of HDL, coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis risks are increased as well. Although there is no clear evidence supporting this belief, most experts agree that HDL carries the cholesterol away from the arteries and brings them to the liver.
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Difference between HDL and LDL HDL is High Density Lipoprotein, composed of high amount of protein and relatively a low proportion of cholesterol. LDL is Low Density Lipoprotein, composed of a moderate proportion of protein and large amount of cholesterol. HDL is known as good cholesterol while LDL is known as bad cholesterol. Presence of too much of LDL in the blood can increase the risk of coronary heart diseases and atherosclerosis while the opposite is said about of HDL |
It might not seem important enough to know the difference between HDL and LDL, but anyone who is interested in being knowledgeable about the real deal concerning good and bad cholesterol shall find that knowing about this piece of information really helps as well. Maintaining both at their ideal levels should be carefully done to make sure that an individual is healthy enough.