Cholesterol is a natural substance present in mammals. Cholesterol is essential for optimal health because it helps to form cell membranes, hormones including testosterone and estrogen, and acts as an intracellular messenger. As a result, at normal concentrations, it is a necessary chemical. Abnormal cholesterol levels might have a bad influence on your health.
HDL vs LDL Cholesterol
The main difference between HDL and LDL is that cholesterol is that High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) is a kind of cholesterol that is considered to eliminate cholesterol from the arteries. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is denoted as LDL. Low-density lipoproteins might start to deposit cholesterol on artery walls if they carry too much cholesterol.
Proteins and lipids make up high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Lipoproteins are responsible for transporting cholesterol throughout the body. HDL is known as the “good cholesterol” because it transports cholesterol from your body to your liver, to the place where it is eliminated. It also removes extra cholesterol from your body.
Because it causes cholesterol to build up in your arteries, LDL is usually denoted as “bad cholesterol.” A high level of cholesterol can block the arteries, increasing the chance of blood clots in the arteries, It can also give you a heart attack or stroke. It makes your arteries less prone to clog.
Comparison Table Between HDL and LDL Cholesterol
| Parameters of Comparison | HDL | LDL |
| DEFINITION | HDL means high-density lipoprotein. | LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is a kind of harmful cholesterol. |
| LEVEL | In our bodies, HDL levels should be greater. | Our body’s LDL levels should be low. |
| FUNCTION | HDL transports harmful cholesterol from other areas liver. | LDL builds up in the arteries and causes plaque to develop. |
| LOW LEVELS | HDL is bad for our health since it raises our chances of heart attacks and strokes. | LDL is beneficial to our health. |
| HIGH LEVELS | Hdl is beneficial to our health. | LDL is harmful to one’s health since it contributes to cardiovascular disease. |
What is HDL?
HDL (High-density lipoproteins) are a form of cholesterol that acts as a scavenger and has a beneficial impact on the cardiovascular system. It works by removing LDL cholesterol particles from artery walls and delivering them to the liver, where they are discharged as bile, reducing atherosclerotic plaque development.
Cholesterol has a bad name, yet it’s vital for your body’s healthy functioning. Cholesterol is used by the body to create hormones and vitamin D, to aid digestion. Your liver produces enough cholesterol to complete these functions, but cholesterol does not come only from your liver. Cholesterol may be found in a variety of foods, including meat, dairy, and poultry. Your cholesterol levels may grow too high if you consume a lot of these items.
A high level of HDL is beneficial to one’s health since it is linked to a longer lifespan and a lower risk of morbidity. A low amount of HDL, on the other hand, is not desirable because it is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Positive lifestyle changes and medicines such as nicotinic acid, gemfibrozil, estrogen, and statins can help raise HDL levels.
The better your health, the higher the figure indicated by the cholesterol check. Males should have a value more than 45 mg/dL, while females should have a figure greater than 55 mg/dL.
What is LDL?
LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins) is a kind of cholesterol that is harmful to human health. They transport freshly produced cholesterol from the liver to our body’s different tissues. More significantly, LDLs induce atheroma development earlier in life, advancing to atherosclerosis and artery constriction, eventually leading to cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes) and death.
When LDL levels are high, a fatty deposit in the arteries, known as plaque, can form, narrowing the arteries and restricting blood flow. This narrowing of the arteries can proceed to the point where blood clots form.
In reality, there is a relationship between LDL and HDL values. HDL transports LDL from the arteries to the liver. As a result, when HDL levels drop, LDL levels rise, offering the aforementioned risks. Positive lifestyle changes and consistent use of statin medications can lower LDL levels in the body, as can fibrates, nicotinic acid, gemfibrozil, and resins like cholestyramine to a lesser extent.
This figure indicates whether your cholesterol levels are high or low in your body. You do not have heart disease, diabetes, or blood vessel disease if the value is not as much as 130 mg/dL. Your LDL level should be less than 100 mg/dL.
Main Differences Between HDL and LDL
- The HDL means High-Density Lipoprotein and LDL stand for Low-Density Lipoprotein.
- HDL is also known as GOOD CHOLESTEROL whereas LDL is also known as BAD CHOLESTEROL
- The HDL has a size of 5- 12 nm while the LDL has a size of 18- 25 nm.
- High-density lipoprotein or HDL particles are made up of 20% cholesterol and 50% protein, whereas LDL or low-density lipoproteins particles are made up of around 50% cholesterol and 25% protein.
- A-I and A-II proteins make up the majority of HDL particles. B-100 proteins can be found in low-density lipoproteins.
Conclusion
Cholesterol is a necessary lipid for the human body’s optimal health since it connects the building blocks of cells and systems. Our bodies produce cholesterol, and we eat cholesterol-containing foods. Good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL) are the two kinds of cholesterol (LDL). HDL carries harmful cholesterol from other areas of the body back to the liver. A high amount of LDL promotes atherosclerosis, which leads to illness and mortality.
Furthermore, a high amount of cholesterol in our bodies is mostly caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, which includes bad eating habits, smoking, and a lack of physical activity, among other things. To reduce your cholesterol levels, you must engage in regular physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, and consume a heart-healthy diet.
References
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/752318
- https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article-abstract/56/6/977/5622392