The movement of cholesterol (which is insoluble in blood) is facilitated by 2 agents. These provide enabling transportation. They are Low Density Lipoprotein, and High Density Lipoprotein. The Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL, popularly known as bad cholesterol) is responsible for moving attached cholesterol molecules from the liver (or from our diet) to the body cells, or other utility areas. Whereas, the High Density Lipoproteins (HDL, or good cholesterol) moves excess or unused cholesterol back to the liver, for removal by disintegration and excretion.
It is the variations in the presence of this 2 agents that is chiefly responsible for our cholesterol level. A low LDL count, or a high HDL level will bring down a person’s cholesterol level. Conversely, too little HDL, or too many LDL, will result to a high cholesterol level. Infact, a desirable profile is a total cholesterol level below 200 (mg/dl), an HDL cholesterol level of at least 40 mg/dl, a fasting triglyceride level of less than 150 mg/dl, and an LDL cholesterol level below 100, 130, or 160 mg/dl, depending on degree of heart attack risk.
An individual, whose profile is higher than the above-stated, is at risk of cardio-vascular disease. The risk level may vary from one individual to another, being impacted by various factors; such as hereditary factors, obesity, diet, physical activity, mental and emotional stress level, amongst others. Therefore, it is essential to seek proper management of these factors in order to escape the onslaught of this stealth killer (cardio-vascular disease, the result of high cholesterol levels) which has assumed pandemic proportions. The hereditary factors may not under one’s control, but the other factors may be managed to such an extent that the impact of hereditary factors becomes marginal.