HDL CHOLESTROL

HDL cholestrol or lipoproteins are a combination of proteins and fats (lipids), which are carried through the bloodstream from the liver. They pick up bad cholesterol, LDL, and carry it back to the liver, which discards the LDL in the form of bile. The more HDL in the body, the less risk there is of heart disease through clogged or blocked arteries, veins and capillaries.

It has been proven that a high HDL levels can cause low risk factors for heart attacks. A mg of HDL affects the risk of heart disease by as much as 4%. However, the best approach to raising the HDL cholestrol level in the blood is to make serious lifestyle changes. The current recommendations suggest:

Regular exercise, preferably aerobic

Reduce unnecessary weight and fat

Stop smoking

Reduce the consumption of alcohol to 1 drink per day

If these changes do not raise personal HDL cholestrol levels then using doctor recommended medications may be one possible solution. These medications can successfully increase good cholestrol. Medicines like nutritional supplements (niacin), Lopid (gemfibrozil), and estrogen can be effective, as well as some use of other drugs like statin.

It is also important to follow a diet that incorporates healthy food. Foods like eggs and butter are not recommended because this causes LDL cholestrol levels to rise and does nothing to increase the vital HDL cholestrol levels.

HDL cholestrol is important for certain body functions, including the creation of nerve sheaths, membrane building, bile and hormone production and cell wall construction. So avoiding low-fat diets and reverting to a calorie controlled version of the ‘Mediterranean Diet’ is ideal. The effect of increased LDL levels does raise the risk of not only heart disease, but can result in mental problems, high blood pressure, hypertension and high blood pressure.