What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance used in the body to produce membranes, bile acids (helps digest fat), vitamin D, and hormones.
Did you know? Cholesterol is created in the liver and travels via lipids (fatty acids) through the bloodstream.
When it comes to cholesterol, the problem lies when we consume too much unhealthy food resulting in cholesterol buildup (also called plaque) in the blood. Excess cholesterol can cause stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attacks.
Cholesterol Levels
There are three lipoproteins in the blood that are important for good health. These are what doctors review when testing cholesterol levels.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)- Recognized as bad cholesterol because it is low in proteins and high in cholesterol. This type causes plaque in the arteries.
High-density lipoproteins (HDL)- Recognized as good cholesterol since it is high in proteins and low in cholesterol. This type help cleanse the arteries of bad cholesterol.
Triglycerides- A lipid in the bloodstream that aids in storing excess energy.
When looking at a cholesterol level report, the ratio of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or bad cholesterol) to high-density lipoproteins (HDL or good cholesterol) should be approximately 2:1.
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