What is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol

What is Good Cholesterol and Bad Cholesterol?

Whenever we hear the word “Cholesterol”, it is perceived as an alarming situation for our health. But the reality is that our body requires some amount of cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D and other substances that help us to digest food.

To understand how and why cholesterol is bad for us, we will first have to understand what all constitutes as cholesterol in our body. 

HDL, LDL and VLDL are the main factors that decide whether our cholesterol is in control or not, as they are lipoproteins which are a combination of fats and proteins that move through our body. Let’s explain this further-

1. HDL is the high-density lipoprotein also known as the “good cholesterol” which carries cholesterol from other parts of our body to the liver which then filters it out removing the toxins from the body. Optimal level of HDL in the body is above 60mg/dL.
2. LDL is the low-density lipoprotein also known as “bad cholesterol”. According to medical experts it has been stated that LDL should be not more than 100 mg/dl in our body as increase in the LDL levels can cause fatal results.
3. VLDL is another form of “bad cholesterol” which basically means very-low-density lipoprotein. This is the riskiest of all cholesterol as it plays a major role in blocking the arteries in our body. Normal VLDL levels are from 2 to 30 mg/dL in the body.
4. Another factor that has to be kept in check while assessing the cholesterol is the Triglycerides which are a common type of fat in our body that should not be more than 150 mg/dl in our body; it has been observed that if the Triglycerides and the LDL are high in our body but the HDL is low then this can put us at a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis. 

WHAT MAKES CHOLESTEROL GOOD OR BAD?

Our body needs the good cholesterol and not the bad cholesterol but how can we identify what makes the cholesterol good or bad for our body?

According to medical observations, it has been observed that cholesterol levels of our body depend on our age, gender and lifestyle habits because of which it may vary from person to person but the following parameters are important and applicable for everyone-

1. The HDL should be higher in number and not below 55mg/dl in females and 45 mg/dl in males.
2. The LDL should be as low as possible; People who have heart disease or blood vessel diseases their level of LDL should not be above 100 mg/dl and for those who do not have any underlying conditions, it should not be above 130mg/dl.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BAD CHOLESTEROL INCREASES IN OUR BODY?

The increased levels of bad cholesterol in our body is an invitation to a number of diseases inside our body, as it makes the body more prone to having serious health problems such as- 

1. BLOOD CLOTTING 

The LDL can cause plaque in the arteries which if increases in size, can completely block the blood flow in the arteries. 

2. HEART ATTACK

High Cholesterol can also become an obstruction in the flow of oxygen to the heart muscle which can cause severe chest pain (angina) or also heart attacks. 

3. PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASES

Due to the plaque buildup in the arteries, it has also been observed that there can be chances of disruption in the flow of oxygen to the brain and limbs that can also cause strokes and peripheral arterial diseases. 

ADD TO CHECKLIST – REGULAR CHECKING OF YOUR CHOLESTEROL

Keeping a check on our Cholesterol level is very important considering the hectic professional life and unhealthy eating habits which has become more or less a common lifestyle for many of us.  In recent medical observations, an alarming situation has been observed that now the young generation are more prone to developing cholesterol problems by the time they reach their late 30’s.

Therefore, it becomes important for everyone to keep a check on their cholesterol, but for some people who fall under the following categories should take a serious look at their cholesterol level on a regular basis- 

1. HEREDITARY PROBLEMS OF CHOLESTEROL 

Keeping a check on the cholesterol levels becomes more pertinent for those people who already have a history of cholesterol problems running in their family, for example, familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited kind of high cholesterol that happens because of genetics. 

2. OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE

One of the alarming situations persisting today is the rise of obesity, which also plays a major role in increasing the levels of “bad cholesterol” in our body. Lack of any physical activity and unhealthy eating habits are the source of increased cholesterol levels which can be fatal in the longer run. 

3. FOOD JUNKIES

What you eat is what you reap, a line which is very much linked to our cholesterol as many food items can also increase the cholesterol levels inside our body. For example, products that have saturated fats such as red meat, fried snacks, processed foods, all of these food items if taken in high quantities on a daily basis can increase levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in our body and decrease the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.

4. SMOKERS

It has been observed that the level of cholesterol is usually much higher in smokers than the non-smokers. Furthermore, many researches have suggested that the level of HDL decreases and the level of LDL increases more in women than the men who are regular smokers. 

KEY TAKEAWAY

Maintaining optimum cholesterol levels in our body is important for all of us regardless of age or gender through a nutritious diet and some form of  physical activity. Good Omega 3,6,9 supplement can also help in maintaining the cholesterol levels required by the body. 

Omegalogy is a health supplement that has been specifically curated for cholesterol management. Its unique formulation with Plant-based Omega 3,6,9 and Vitamin-E added for stability makes this supplement a perfect aid for your body for-

1. Help in Cholesterol Management
2. Increasing Blood Circulation
3. Improving Liver Health
4. Improving Heart Health 
5. Managing Blood Pressure
6. Mood Management
7. Boosting Immunity
8. Reducing Joint pain and Inflammation 

Curae Health, a pioneer of developing Vegan Health Supplements with Natural Extracts has developed Omegalogy with the aim to reduce cholesterol problems in young as well older people therefore, all the ingredients of Omegalogy have been carefully selected in accordance to the Flax Bio Village Concept developed under the ICAR-AICRP project making Omegalogy an effective and safe solution for managing cholesterols in the body along with giving us benefits of a healthy heart and body.