Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance, made by the liver. It performs many vital functions in the body, so it is not inherently harmful. However, there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.
Cholesterol Functions
Cholesterol is produced by the liver. A small percentage is made available through the food you eat. All cholesterol is not bad, it has many uses for the body.
The Good and The Bad
Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream in the lipids. When you take a lipid profile test, it shows the total cholesterol level in your body, the LDL, HDL, and Triglycerides levels.
There are three types of lipoproteins in the bloodstream- Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL), High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL), and Triglycerides.
LDL is referred to as bad cholesterol because it has very low protein content and is high in cholesterol. HDL is low in cholesterol and high in protein content. Triglycerides are lipids that help the body store excess energy. However, a rise in triglyceride level is also bad for health.
LDL and Plaque Buildup
Consider LDL as a sort of capsule where the outer shell, made of lipoprotein, encapsulates cholesterol. As LDL particles are not as dense as other cholesterol particles, the cholesterol can break off and stick to the walls of blood vessels.
Your white blood cells, try to destroy LDL particles. In this process, they oxidize LDL. Slowly, this LDL debris and other matter build up in the arterial walls.
This is called plaque, which can cause blockages in the arteries.
Normally, when you test for cholesterol levels in your body, the total cholesterol level should be less than 200 mg/dL. LDL cholesterol level should ideally be less than 70 mg/dL to prevent plaque formation and promote heart health.
Usually, the body maintains a good balance of cholesterol levels. However, dietary habits and other conditions can lead to an imbalance. If you want to know how to naturally lower LDL, then keep reading.
How to Naturally Lower LDL
Besides taking medication to control cholesterol levels, there are many natural ways to reduce LDL cholesterol:
Not all cholesterol is bad; you just need to maintain a good balance. Keeping LDL levels low is very important. So, take the right steps, and be healthy today!
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