How to distinguish between good and bad cholesterol?

We know with certainty today that the increase in cholesterol levels in the blood is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, just like hypertension, tobacco and a sedentary lifestyle. If we are concerned about bad cholesterol, we often forget that there is also good cholesterol. Also to watch!

Cholesterol, essential for the body

Cholesterol is a fat provided for one third by food (exogenous origin) and two thirds produced by the liver (endogenous origin). The liver is able to produce from proteins, fats and carbohydrates, 1gr of cholesterol per day! Cholesterol can be thought of as a fat particle that travels through our body via the bloodstream .

Cholesterol has several functions:

• Constitute the membranes of the cells of our body;
• Direct the development of certain cells of the fetus;
• Participates in the formation of synapses;
• It is an ingredient of bile;
• Precursor of vitamin D;
• Part of body fat.  

Note: there is  only one cholesterol but two cholesterol transport systems in the blood  !

The good cholesterol

HDL ( High   Density Lipoproteins), known as "good cholesterol", recover excess cholesterol and bring it back to the liver where it is transformed before being eliminated.

bad cholesterol

LDLs ( Low   Density Lipoproteins) transport cholesterol from the liver to all cells . When this beautiful machine goes wrong, LDL-cholesterols accumulate and can contribute to the formation of plaques which gradually clog the arteries.

You must know that :

• The higher the blood level of HDL-cholesterol, the lower the risk of atherosclerosis;
• On the other hand , the risk of atherosclerosis is all the greater when the LDL-cholesterol is high .
• To avoid cardiovascular problems , it is therefore essential to lower your bad cholesterol level and increase your good cholesterol level by adopting a healthy diet and practicing regular physical activity .