Whats the difference between LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol?
LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) is the bad or oxidized form. LDL cholesterol attaches itself to artery walls, creating plaque that can build up and eventually block your arteries, which could result in a heart attack or stroke. You want your LDL cholesterol levels to be as low as possible. HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) is the good form. HDL cholesterol travels around in your bloodstream, picks up excess LDL cholesterol and brings it back to your liver to be reprocessed. Therefore, HDL cholesterol is cleaning out your body. You want your HDL cholesterol levels to be as high as possible. What is the ideal HDL LDL ratio in the bloodstream? Your total cholesterol is an important figure, but even more important is the ratio of LDL (bad) cholesterol to HDL (good) cholesterol. Following are the normal and optimal levels of cholesterol levels: Total Cholesterol – Normal Levels: up to 199 mg/dL Optimal Levels: Between 180-220 mg/dL LDL Cholesterol – Normal Levels: up to 1
