The Benefits Of Raising Your HDL Cholesterol
Julia Carmichael
HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) is the so-called
good cholesterol in the blood serum. It is responsible for
carrying excess cholesterol away from the body tissues and
arteries back to the liver.
The liver combines cholesterol with lipoproteins for use in
various physiological body functions and building of tissues. A
lipoprotein is a combined unit of lipid, that is, fat on the
inside surrounded by protein on the outside.
What are Lipoproteins?
Since cholesterol is water-insoluble, the blood cannot carry it
unless it is turned into a water-soluble form. That is where
water-soluble lipoproteins enter the scene. They combine with
cholesterol to form water-soluble units that can move through
the bloodstream.
These lipoproteins are mainly of two types: low-density (20–25%
proteins) lipoproteins, LDL and high-density (40–55% protein)
lipoproteins, HDL. Medical experts refer to the cholesterol
transported by HDL as HDL cholesterol.
So What is HDL?
So, when medical experts talk of HDL cholesterol, they mean
HDL-bound cholesterol. Scientifically speaking there is no such
thing as "good cholesterol" or "bad cholesterol". Cholesterol is
just cholesterol, a sterol lipid having the chemical formula
C27H45OH. In fact, HDL and LDL are not cholesterol at all. They
are just lipoprotein vehicles for carrying and moving
cholesterol through blood.
Most people commonly call HDL good cholesterol because it
travels from the arteries and body tissues back to the liver
for recycling or elimination. This prevents a build-up of
plaque (a hard fatty deposit) on the inner walls of major
arteries supplying blood to the organs. This reduces clogging
of the arteries and the risk of heart attacks, paralysis, and
hypertension.
Recent Discovery
Scientists have recently discovered that low HDL cholesterol
level in blood is an independent risk factor for these
cardiovascular and crebrovascular diseases. HDL levels below 40
mg/dL for men and below 50 mg/dL for women are considered low.
This is separate from the total cholesterol and LDL levels.
This means that even with a normal total cholesterol count and
a safe LDL level, people with low HDL cholesterol levels are at
an increased risk of heart disease.
Why Lowering Cholesterol Is Not Important
So the emphasis should not only be on lowering the total
cholesterol and LDL levels, but also raising the HDL
cholesterol level. Research has shown that a drop of just 1
mg/dL in the HDL cholesterol level can lower a person's risk of
suffering a fatal heart attack by 3%.
But how does one raise the HDL cholesterol level while keeping
the total cholesterol and LDL levels low? Ideally, an HDL more
than 50 mg/dL for men and 60 mg/dL for women is considered
heart-protective. Most people, however, can push the HDL
cholesterol levels up by making some lifestyle and diet
changes.
Benefits of Raising Cholesterol
To raise your HDL cholesterol, take up an aerobic activity like
walking, cycling, swimming or dancing for 30–40 minutes 5 times
a week. Quitting smoking, losing excess weight and consuming
foods rich in dietary soluble fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and
antioxidants also raises the HDL cholesterol levels.
Another lifestyle change that is effective in raising HDL
cholesterol is saying no to saturated and trans fats (red
meats, egg yolk, butter, whole-cream dairy products, commercial
bakery items, deep-fried foods, and so on). Instead go for a
diet based on polyunsaturated and monounsaturated vegetable
oils, whole grains, cereals, nuts like almonds and walnuts,
flaxseeds, beans, legumes, lentils, fruits and vegetables.
The only drugs known to raise HDL cholesterol effectively are
niacin (vitamin B3) and a class of compounds called fibrates.
About The Author: Get the latest in hdl cholesterol know how
from the only true source at
http://www.lowercholesterollog.com . Check out our hdl
cholesterol pages.
Back To:
All Free Info about Heart & Circulatory System Health
Find More Free Natural Health Information
Choose Natural Health Site Map
