We’ve all been told to keep our “bad” cholesterol low and our “good” cholesterol high but the truth is cholesterol isn’t good or bad.
Almost every cell in our body is capable of producing cholesterol but it is primarily made in the liver. Cholesterol is needed to produce our bile acids and sex hormones and is used as a “spackle” to patch up damage to our arteries caused by free radical damage and other injuries. It supports the functions of the brain, nervous system, liver, blood and skin.
Cholesterol is fat soluble and therefore it doesn’t dissolve in blood so it’s carried to and from the cells by lipoproteins.
HDL (“good” cholesterol) transports cholesterol from tissues and other organs to the liver and conversely, LDL (“bad” cholesterol) moves the cholesterol out of the liver and to the tissues and organs as needed.
Cholesterol test results are usually broken down into three categories that make up the total cholesterol count.
- HDL-High Density Lipoprotein has the ability to calm the immune system and reduce inflammation. It’s important to have this number as high as possible but minimally >40.
- LDL-Low Density Lipoprotein. This is the number that gets most physicians in a tizzy but new research has proven that the number isn’t as important as the particle size of the LDL in determining cardiovascular risk. A VAP test can determine whether your particle size is large and fluffy (Type A) versus small and dense (Type B). The small, dense particles oxidize causing free radical damage and inflammation leading to higher cardiovascular risk. The VAP test is quite expensive but there is an alternative way of determining the LDL particle size and that’s from your triglycerides.
- Triglycerides-Fat. Your Triglycerides are a surrogate marker for LDL particle size. Low Triglycerides mean large, fluffy (Type A) LDL and result in low risk cardiovascular disease
My Triglycerides are 41. How did I get them so low? Triglycerides are directly tied to the amount of carbohydrates you eat and whether your insulin mechanism is working properly. I was over-weight and insulin resistant when I decided to eat foods that kept my insulin levels even (low-carb) which resulted in losing 45lbs and very low Triglycerides. You can read about my weight-loss here.
There are many natural ways of raising HDL and lowering Triglycerides and LDL that I’ll write about in another article. If you have any questions concerning this information please don’t hesitate to contact me at Sonja@actionhealthylife.com
Comments for this post
