Good Cholesterol
Author: Aaeron ehast
What makes it different is the type of lipoprotein is transported in the body, which is carried by particles of low density lipoprotein LDL in the circulation, is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and is often called “bad” cholesterol . In contrast, the cholesterol carried by particles of high density lipoprotein HDL in the bloodstream are associated with lower risk of atherosclerosis and is often called “good” cholesterol.
They say that hides the secret of longevity, therefore, those lucky enough to possess it in large quantities, have a powerful weapon to live longer and better years. This is the good cholesterol, which is responsible for preventing bad cholesterol from sticking to the arteries and obstruct. Therefore, having this precious element reduces the risk for cardiovascular events.
When speaking of bad cholesterol and a good one, actually is not referring to different cholesterols, but a molecule that is essential for life. The difference is the type of lipoprotein that carries through traffic. Which is carried by particles of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is harmful to the body, and is often called bad cholesterol. By contrast, the cholesterol carried by particles of high density lipoprotein (HDL) reduces the risk of disease, and is called good cholesterol.
The latter is produced in the liver, circulates in the plasma and is responsible for capturing the bad cholesterol from the cells of peripheral tissues, mainly the arteries, and transport to the liver, where it is metabolized and eliminated as bile salts and free cholesterol.
In addition to reducing LDL cholesterol, is good in itself an important element when considering the risk of suffering a stroke, since a person with a low level, ie less than 40 mg%, is more likely to fall victim to these diseases.
Dr. Alejandro Abufhele, head of the Department of Cardiology, German Clinic, explains that the good cholesterol is genetically marked: “There are people with high HDL and others which are low, because they inherited this predisposition from their parents.” However, for the latter, the battle is not lost, because this trend can be modified with certain measures that increase HDL levels.
The good cholesterol is HDL, abbreviation for “high-density lipoprotein.” The presence in the blood of this protein helps prevent clogging blood vessels and impede circulation.
In carnivores, like lions, bears and even dogs, “the good cholesterol level gets too high, protecting them from coronary artery disease and strokes that often affect people who eat lots of meat. But humans are omnivores, and our anatomy more closely resembles herbivores like cows and deer, vegetarian species.
While what worries doctors and patients is the level of total cholesterol or LDL (so-called “bad cholesterol”), namely triglycerides which are in our blood, low levels of good cholesterol is the lipoprotein abnormalities more common among heart.
“Moreover,” says Dr. Michael Miller, Department of Preventive Cardiology, University Medical Center in Maryland, United States, “low levels of good cholesterol predict risk of heart attack.”
High density lipoprotein is responsible for transferring cholesterol from various parts of the body to the liver, where it is eliminated. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is the source that causes the walls of the arteries to become narrower.
Most people who suffer heart attacks have HDL readings below 40 milligrams per deciliter of blood serum. In the latest version of the treatment guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education, readings below 40 are considered a risk factor.
In fact, Dr. Miller said recently that “there are several studies that showed that the risk of coronary heart disease is more related to levels of HDL than with LDL.
Vegetarians tend to have low levels of good cholesterol, Dr. Miller said. But for anyone who eats meat, the higher the good cholesterol, the better. According to Dr. Miller, the HDL “should be as high as possible.” In men, the ideal is to be above 45 milligrams, and women above 55 milligrams. The average ratio between total cholesterol and good cholesterol is 4.5 to 1 in the U.S., while among those who suffer from heart disease is reported from 5.5 to 1, according to Dr. Miller said.
In search of good cholesterol
There are a number of factors that increase HDL levels, such as exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, eliminate the snuff and maintain a balanced diet.
Types of Lipoproteins:
LDL: low density lipoprotein. Carry cholesterol and are obtained by eating animal fat such as eggs, dairy and red meat. They are aggressors, because they are deposited directly into the arteries, which increases the risk of stroke.
VLDL: very low density lipoproteins, which transport triglycerides. They come from refined sugar and alcohol. When very high LDL makes it even more wrong, more dense, smaller and more prone to be deposited in the arteries. Therefore, in people with high triglycerides should not alcohol.
HDL: high density lipoproteins. Good transport cholesterol are protective because they are responsible to prevent sticking lipoprotein killer cells and cause damage to our body.
According to studies, there are foods rich in polyunsaturated fats, which tend to lower both good and bad cholesterol, such as maize (corn) and sunflower oil and soy.
There are also monounsaturated fats that can grow good cholesterol levels without increasing the bad cholesterol, such as olive oil, nuts and avocados.
The idea is that by consuming more of these foods do not increase the calories consumed daily, therefore, is essential to eliminate from the diet other foods, like sugars and white rice (refined carbohydrates). An example of a balanced diet is the Mediterranean which includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and fish but little meat and dairy products high in fat. It is estimated that for every three kilos of weight loss increases HDL 1 mg%.
It is also advisable to take two glasses of wine a day (250 cc), an amount may increase by 5 to 10% in HDL and also decreases the tendency to form clots inside blood vessels.
Exercise on a regular basis, giving priority to the current duration is also a good way to increase good cholesterol levels. It is estimated that up 1mgr% for every 25 miles driven per week.
According to Dr. Abufhele, there are drugs that decrease HDL and increase it as other vitamin B niacin, statins, fibrates, and estrogen.
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