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Low Density Lipoprotein Or LDL Cholesterol: Here’s Why They Call It ‘Bad’

7th November, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

We hear a lot of talk about different kinds of cholesterol: good, bad, HDL, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, lipids and more. If you’re not a doctor, it’s hard to keep it all straight.

The goal of this article is to help you better understand what low density lipopropteins or LDL cholesterol is – the type that’s also known as “bad” cholesterol – and why it’s considered dangerous to heart health.

First, it will probably help to take a quick refresher on precisely what cholesterol is and its role in metabolism.

The literal translation of the word cholesterol is “solid alcohol from bile.” It’s a fatty substance that floats in our bloodstream. We get cholesterol from two sources: some is produced naturally by our own bodies – mostly in the liver – and some comes from the food we eat. Cholesterol cannot move through the bloodstream on its own. It has to be attached to a protein. This combination of protein and cholesterol is known to medical professionals as a lipoprotein.

LDL is an abbreviation for “low density lipoprotein.” This is the so-called “bad” cholesterol many people talk about. One of our cardiologist acquaintances says it’s easy to remember if you think of it as “low down and lousy.” LDL tends to stick to the walls of your arteries, accumulating in the form of a substance known as plaque. This is the stuff that causes hardening of the arteries and leads to heart attacks or a stroke.

HDL is an abbreviation for “high density lipoprotein.” HDL is good for several reasons: 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 in your bloodstream the less LDL you are likely to have, and the lower your risk of heart disease will be.

LDL can be found in what are known as “bad fats,” particularly saturated fats and trans fats. These are abundant in meat from animals (especially red meat), oils like the kind used to cook french fries in fast food restaurants, prepackaged and processed foods, and baked goods like donuts and cake.

By avoiding these fats, and eating healthy foods such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthier meats like poultry and fish, you can lower your LDL and increase your HDL..

The simple letter sequences LDL and HDL can be confusing if you’re not used to medical terminology, and it may be difficult 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. Or as our cardiologist acquaintance says, “Low has got to go…”

By keeping a healthy ratio between your HDL and your LDL, you lower your risk of cardiovascular “events” like heart attacks and stroke. Exercise is also important. Many studies have shown that getting your heart rate up with vigorous physical activity helps your HDL cholesterol flush the LDL out of your body.

When your physician tests your cholesterol levels, he or she may discuss your overall levels as well as HDL and LDL. Your overall level is less important than the individual levels. Ideally, your LDL level should be 100 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) or lower, and your HDL level should be 60 mg/dL or higher. The lower your ratio of LDL over HDL, the happier your doctor (and your heart) will be.

Many people typically don’t start having their cholesterol checked regularly until they approach middle age. But health care professionals now say everyone should get into the habit earlier – even in your teens or 20’s. This is due to the fact that so many young people today grow up eating calorie-rich, high fat diets. Meanwhile, they’re getting less and less exercise. Doctors are seeing cholesterol levels rise in younger people much sooner than they should, and this is a growing worry.

Related topics: normal ldl cholesterol levels and hdl good cholesterol. Neal Kennedy is a former TV and radio talk show host who often writes on issues related to maintaining cholesterol health.