Cholesterol used to be a four-letter word for the health and wellness community, but many people are starting to realize that not all cholesterol is bad news. In fact, your body requires cholesterol to function properly.
The key is understanding the different types of lipids in your body and how they impact your health — that’s what Dr. Michael Skardasis at Optimal Performance Medicine in Woodstock, Georgia, does in this month’s blog.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance — also called a lipid — that’s found in your blood. Your body can make cholesterol on its own, but it can also enter your bloodstream from the foods you eat. Cholesterol is vital in building cell membranes, producing hormones, and helping your body digest fats.
There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL, known as “bad” cholesterol, and HDL, called “good” cholesterol. Here’s a closer look at how they got their reputation.
We call LDL cholesterol “bad” because high levels can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries. This buildup is a condition called atherosclerosis, which narrows your arteries and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Your LDL levels go up when you:
You can lower your LDL levels by:
Sometimes, we recommend medication to help regulate your cholesterol levels.
We’ve dubbed HDL cholesterol “good” because it removes LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream, transporting it to the liver, where it breaks down and leaves your body.
The best ways to boost HDL levels include:
If we discover that your cholesterol levels aren’t as healthy as they could be, we can help you make necessary lifestyle and dietary changes to reduce your LDL and increase your HDL.
It’s difficult to talk about cholesterol without mentioning triglycerides. Triglycerides aren’t a type of cholesterol; they’re a type of fat that your body stores and uses for energy. We typically measure triglycerides and cholesterol together in the same blood test.
High triglyceride levels combined with high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol can increase your risk for heart disease.
Patients with high triglycerides usually eat too many refined carbohydrates and sugars, consume excess alcohol, lead a sedentary lifestyle, and are overweight. You can manage triglyceride levels the same way you tackle high cholesterol: developing a healthy lifestyle and eating a balanced diet.
When you get the results from your lipid panel, you see a total cholesterol number. This number combines LDL, HDL, and a fraction of your triglyceride levels. It’s a helpful number, but we’re most concerned with your LDL and HDL breakdown.
Your LDL levels should be below 100 mg/dL, and your HDL levels should be at least 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women.
We encourage our patients to have their cholesterol checked at least every 4-6 years and more frequently if you’re at risk for heart disease.
Is it time to get a read on your health status? Our team is standing by to run the necessary tests and walk you through your next steps. Contact Optimal Performance Medicine today to schedule an appointment.
