Types of Cholesterol
There are actually two types of cholesterol. LDL (Low density lipoprotein) is "bad" while HDL (high density lipoprotein) "good." Both are made and used by the body in adequate amounts, making it unnecessary to have high-cholesterol foods in our diet. The medical establishment has derived what the healthy amounts of each types of cholesterol are for the human body. A total cholesterol level over 240 mg/dl is considered "high cholesterol." The LDL level should be no more than 100 mg/dl; the HDL should make up the remainder of the total.
How LDL Cholesterol Clogs Arteries
HDL cholesterol works to clear LDL cholesterol out of the bloodstream. When HDL levels are low and LDL levels are high, there is not enough HDL to handle the "bad" cholesterol. The LDL cholesterol then attaches itself to the walls of the arteries. This is called atherosclerosis and can eventually cause the artery to be blocked, causing heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
Prevention of Clogged Arteries
High LDL cholesterol can occur in the body for several reasons. Certain drugs as well as some lipid disorders can cause an imbalance of cholesterol levels, making more LDL. The condition can also be inherited or it can acquired through a high cholesterol diet. A health care professional may prescribe a statin drug to lower LDL if cholesterol levels are too high.
There are several ways to prevent and/or lower cholesterol levels. The first is diet. A high cholesterol diet is one that contains animal products such as meat, foul, some seafood, full-fat milk and cheese and eggs. Also, saturated fats from bakery products, fast foods, snack foods and processed meats like lunch meats should be reduced or eliminated from the diet. If you smoke, stop. Smoking allows LDL cholesterol access into your cells which causes damage. Regular exercise of 20 to 30 minutes a day will increase HDL and decrease LDL. Lose weight if needed. Extra weight contributes to higher LDL .
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