When blood cholesterol becomes a problem
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Two types of lipoproteins and their quantity in the blood are main factors in heart disease risk:- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) This "bad" cholesterol is the form in which cholesterol is carried into the blood and is the main cause of harmful fatty buildup in arteries. The higher the LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, the greater the heart disease risk.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-- This " good " cholesterol carries blood cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be eliminated. HDL helps prevent a cholesterol buildup in blood vessels. Low HDL levels increase heart disease risk.
One of the primary ways LDL cholesterol levels can become too high in blood is through eating too much of two nutrients: saturated fat, which is found mostly in animal products, and cholesterol, found only in animal products. Saturated fat raises LDL levels more than anything else in the diet (see "Food for Thought").
Several other factors also affect blood cholesterol levels:
- Heredity: high cholesterol often runs in families. Even though specific genetic causes have been identified in only a minority of cases, genes still play a role in influencing blood cholesterol levels.
- Weight excess: weight tends to increase blood cholesterol levels. Losing weight may help lower levels.
- Exercise: regular physical activity may not only lower LDL cholesterol, but it may increase levels of desirable HDL.
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