Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance that is created in the liver but it can also be found within certain foods. This substance plays a crucial role in the performance of various cells within the body, and is also necessary for the production of hormones, vitamin D, and even bile for proper digestion. Unfortunately, having too much of the wrong kind of cholesterol in your system can increase your risk of suffering from circulatory and heart diseases.
Cholesterol is carried within the blood and attaches to proteins known as lipoproteins that have two main forms. The first form of lipoprotein is known as low density lipoprotein or LDL, whereas the second type of high density lipoprotein or HDL. LDL cholesterol is often considered as bad cholesterol because having too much of it can be unhealthy. On the other hand, HDL cholesterol is considered to be a good cholesterol because it help to protect your body, and knowing the amount present in your system can help you to better understand your risk of heart disease.
Understanding HDL Cholesterol:
Crucially, it's worth noting that measurements of HDL cholesterol in your blood will only carry information about the amount of cholesterol attached to HDL particles, which differ in both function and size. The number of HDL particles in your system can be measured through nuclear magnetic resonance, and studies have shown that good measurements are often more strongly associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Though it might not be the most complete way of assessing a person's risk factors regarding heart disease, HDL cholesterol is still measured as the best assessment for a person's health, when combined with tests for LDL and triglyceride levels.
HDL Cholesterol and It's Link to Heart Disease:
There is an important inverse relationship between the presence of HDL cholesterol within the body and the general development of coronary artery disease. In other words, higher levels of this substance are frequently associated with low risk of heart disease, while low levels of HDL cholesterol are linked to high risk of heart disease.
Perhaps the most important way in which HDL cholesterol helps to protect our bodies is by clearing out excess amounts of LDL cholesterol from the system. LDL cholesterol is the type of fat that can build up within the blood vessels and arteries of the body, leading to blockages that might result into various medical issues like strokes, heart attacks, and more. HDL cholesterol works as a scavenger, moving through the blood vessels and capturing rogue LDL cholesterol so that it can be safely transported through the blood stream, and out of the body in the form of urine. As such, many doctors consider HDL cholesterol as the substance that acts as the cleanup crew for other forms of cholesterol, ensuring that your LDL levels are not allowed to become too high and dangerous.
The best way to improve your HDL cholesterol levels is with a careful combination of dietary changes and exercise. Your doctor will be able to give you advice to manage and improve your levels.