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Posts Tagged ‘HDL’

A waxy soft fat particle that circulates in blood stream is known as cholesterol. As cholesterol is in soluble in blood it circulates in the blood stream with the help of lipoprotein. There are two types of lipoprotein. One is LDL i.e. Low Density Lipoprotein which is also known as bad cholesterol and the other is HDL i.e. High Density Lipoprotein is also known as good cholesterol.

Liver in our body produces cholesterol except that we also take cholesterol from outside through our diet. The cholesterol produced by our body is known as endogenous cholesterol and the cholesterol which we take through our diet is known as exogenous cholesterol. Within limits cholesterol is important for our body cells. Too much quantity of LDL is harmful for our bodies.

When Cholesterol level is high and there is too much LDL in the blood stream the cholesterol starts to accumulate along the interior wall of arteries. Plaque (a thick and hard deposit) is formed due to the deposit of cholesterol and other substances along the interior walls of arteries due to which arteries (including coronary artery) become narrow, walls of arteries loose their flexibility and also become hard.

A condition known as atherosclerosis is developed. As arteries (including coronary artery) become narrow so blood flow is reduced, sometimes blockage in arteries also occurs due to the deposits. Atherosclerosis can lead to heart attack and angina.

Cholesterol Level

Desirable level of HDL > 40 mg/dl
Desirable level of LDL < 100 mg/dl
Total cholesterol level should be < 200 mg/dl

If LDL level is > 160 mg/dl and HDL level is < 40 mg/dl then you are at high risk of having heart disease.

How to control Cholesterol?

By changing your life style and controlling your diet you can control your cholesterol level. If you take saturated fat in your diet then your blood cholesterol level will be higher. So try to avoid food containing saturated fat. Take low fat diets.

A. Diet
i) Avoid pork, beef, butter, creamy milk, burger, cheese, eggs etc.
ii) Take brown rice, curd made of skimmed milk, barley etc.
iii) Eat plenty of vegetables, salads and fruits. Eat apples, bananas, pears, blue berries, almonds, wall nuts, beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, raw onion, etc.
iv) Take garlic daily.
v) Take whole grain cereal.
vi) Eat oat meals
vii) Use unsaturated oil.

B. Physical exercise is also necessary for you if you want to control your cholesterol.

Author: S.N.Bhattacharya