HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

What are some examples of HDL cholesterol?

11 Foods to Increase Your HDL

• HDL levels.
• Food and cholesterol.
• Olive oil.
• Beans and legumes.
• Whole grains.
• High-fiber fruit.
• Fatty fish.
• Flax.

Which is the bad cholesterol HDL or?

HDL helps rid your body of excess cholesterol so it's less likely to end up in your arteries. LDL is called “bad cholesterol” because it takes cholesterol to your arteries, where it may collect in artery walls.

Which is worse LDL or VLDL cholesterol?

LDL is considered 'bad' cholesterol because high levels can lead to the buildup of plaque in your arteries,” said Chiadika. “VLDL is considered 'bad' cholesterol as well but it mainly carries triglycerides, the most common type of fat in your body.

What is the fastest way to reduce VLDL cholesterol?

The best way to lower your VLDL cholesterol is to lower your triglycerides. Losing weight and exercising regularly are key, and you might also want to avoid sugary food and alcohol in particular. Medications also can help.

LDL and HDL Cholesterol | Good and Bad Cholesterol | Nucleus Health

15 related questions found

What is a good VLDL number?

What should my VLDL level be? Your VLDL level should be less than 30 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). Anything higher than that puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke.

What is normal LDL?

LDL cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dL. Levels of 100 to 129 mg/dL are acceptable for people with no health issues but may be of more concern for those with heart disease or heart disease risk factors. A reading of 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high and 160 to 189 mg/dL is high.

What is a good triglyceride level?

A simple blood test can reveal whether your triglycerides fall into a healthy range: Normal — Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or less than 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) Borderline high — 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.8 to 2.2 mmol/L) High — 200 to 499 mg/dL (2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L)

What's a good LDL HDL ratio?

In general: The higher the ratio, the higher the risk. Most healthcare providers want the ratio to be below 5:1. A ratio below 3.5:1 is considered very good.

Which is more important HDL or LDL?

Studies suggest that the total cholesterol to HDL ratio is a better marker of the risk of heart disease than LDL cholesterol levels alone.

Is High cholesterol OK if HDL is high?

How High Is Too High? Very high HDL cholesterol levels not only don't protect you more, but they might be harmful. In one study, people who had HDL cholesterol levels above 60 mg/dL were nearly 50% more likely to have a heart attack or die from heart disease than people whose HDL levels were between 41 and 60 mg/dL.

Which is worse triglycerides or LDL?

LDL is known as the “bad” cholesterol because having too much LDL may cause a buildup of plaque in your blood vessels. Triglycerides are also a type of fat found in your blood. High triglycerides, low HDL, and/or high LDL numbers can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Do eggs raise HDL?

The science is clear that up to 3 whole eggs per day are perfectly safe for healthy people. Summary Eggs consistently raise HDL (the “good”) cholesterol. For 70% of people, there is no increase in total or LDL cholesterol. Some people may experience a mild increase in a benign subtype of LDL.

What is HDL test used for?

Purpose of the test. The purpose of HDL cholesterol testing is to assess your cardiovascular health, including your risk for heart disease. HDL cholesterol is considered to be a good type of cholesterol that is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease events.

How do I keep my HDL high?

5 Ways to Raise Your HDL Cholesterol

1. Get active. Physical activity can boost your HDL level. ...
2. Lose extra weight. If you're overweight, losing extra pounds can help raise your HDL levels, as well as cut your LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
3. Choose better fats. ...
4. Alcohol in moderation. ...
5. Stop smoking.

Is rice bad for triglycerides?

Carbs that are “white foods” -- like pasta or bread made with white flour or semolina -- can raise triglyceride levels. So can starchy foods like white rice and potatoes.

Is milk bad for triglycerides?

There were no significant differences between whole milk and skimmed milk in effects on total and LDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, insulin, and glucose concentrations. Conclusions: Intake of 0.5 L/d of whole milk did not adversely affect fasting blood lipids, glucose, or insulin compared to skimmed milk.

What is good LDL level?

According to Michos, an ideal LDL cholesterol level should be less than 70 mg/dl, and a woman's HDL cholesterol level ideally should be close to 50 mg/dl. Triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dl. As Michos notes, total cholesterol levels well below 200 mg/dl are best.

What is VLDL normal range?

VLDL contains the highest amount of triglycerides. VLDL is considered a type of bad cholesterol, because it helps cholesterol build up on the walls of arteries. Normal VLDL levels are from 2 to 30 mg/dL (0.1 to 1.7 mmol/l).

How do I read my cholesterol results?

What Do the Test Results Mean?

1. LDL: 70 to 130 mg/dL (the lower the number, the better)
2. HDL: more than 40 to 60 mg/dL (the higher the number, the better)
3. total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL (the lower the number, the better)
4. triglycerides: 10 to 150 mg/dL (the lower the number, the better)

Why is my HDL so high?

Some hormones, such as estrogen or thyroid hormone, increase HDL concentrations. Exercise and moderate alcohol consumption are associated with higher HDL, too, according to research. The right food choices can lower your LDL levels, which improves your HDL to LDL ratio.

What are the warning signs of high cholesterol?

If levels of LDL cholesterol are too high, or levels of HDL cholesterol are too low, fatty deposits build up in your blood vessels.
...
The most common symptoms include:

• angina, chest pain.
• nausea.
• extreme fatigue.
• shortness of breath.
• pain in the neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or back.
• numbness or coldness in your extremities.

How is VLDL converted to LDL?

The triglycerides carried in VLDL are metabolized in muscle and adipose tissue by lipoprotein lipase releasing free fatty acids and IDL are formed. The IDL are further metabolized to LDL, which are taken up by the LDL receptor in numerous tissues including the liver, the predominant site of uptake.