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Good vs. Bad Cholesterol
 by Hilary L
What Is Cholesterol?
Contrary to most people's conception, cholesterol is not all bad. What is cholesterol? It is, in fact, a key structural component in cells and is a necessary precursor in the manufacture of many essential biological compounds. You simply must have cholesterol in your system for your body to function properly.
The misconception as to what is cholesterol arises, undoubtedly, from the fact that high levels of certain cholesterols in the blood lead to damaged arteries and serious cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure and strokes. The myth is further perpetuated by the naming of some cholesterols as "good and others as "bad.
Bad Cholesterol
The trouble with LDL cholesterol is that it is insoluble in water, and the liver cannot remove it from the blood. Instead, it gets deposited on the artery walls. This buildup, known as atherosclerosis, leads to narrowed arteries and lowered blood flow. The heart responds to this restriction by pumping more vigorously and increasing the blood pressure. This places the heart under abnormal strain and ultimately results in serious complications.
Good Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, acts to counteract the effects of LDL. As it moves through the blood stream, it bonds to the LDL cholesterol. The resultant compound is water-soluble and can be easily removed from the blood by the liver and excreted. When you hear your doctor speak of a LDL/HDL level that is high or low, he is referring the ratio of these two cholesterols. In this ration, lowered LDL is beneficial, but a higher HDL level is also beneficial.
In the end, maintaining proper cholesterol levels can be controlled with proper diet and exercise. The maintenance of proper cholesterol levels leads to lowered incidence of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular disease. A longer, more productive and happier life is the result.
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