LDL Cholesterol Wears the Black Hat
By George McKenzie 
In all the talk we hear about cholesterol, LDL and HDL, it can be hard to keep track of which kind is good and which is bad. It helps to understand what cholesterol is and what each type does.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that circulates in the blood. The body manufactures a sufficient, mostly in the liver, and any more we get from food is surplus. Because cholesterol cannot travel through the bloodstream alone, it must attach to a protein. This combination is called a lipoprotein.
LDL stands for "low density lipoprotein." Think of it as "low down and lousy," because this is the bad stuff. LDL sticks to the sides of arteries, building up plaque which causes blockage, or "hardening of the arteries," and can lead to heart disease if it builds up in the coronary arteries, or stroke if it builds up in cerebral arteries.
HDL stands for "high density lipoprotein." HDL is good not only because it does not create arterial plaque, but also because it attaches to LDL and escorts it to the liver, which removes it from the body. The more HDL you have, the less LDL you will have, and the lower your risk of heart disease.
LDL lurks in what are known as "bad fats," particularly saturated fats and trans fats. By avoiding these fats, and eating heart-friendly foods such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy meats like poultry and fish, you can decrease your LDL and increase your LDL.
The simple letter sequences LDL and HDL can be confusing, and it may be hard to remember which is good. It may help to keep in mind that LDL stands for low density, while HDL is high density, and in this case, low is bad and high is good.
When your doctor tests your cholesterol levels, he or she may tell you your overall levels as well as HDL and LDL. Your overall level is not as important as the individual levels. Ideally, your LDL level should be 100 mg/dL or lower, and your HDL level should be 60 mg/dL or higher.
By maintaining low levels of LDL and high levels of HDL, you are increasing your overall health, and also reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke. By combining exercise and weight loss with healthful eating, you significantly increase your overall health and keep your cholesterol at healthy levels.
For more information on topics related to this article, click on LDL Vs HDL Good and Bad Cholesterol.
George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He often contributes articles to Health Information Articles, a resource site about health and wellness.
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