What Happens If Your Cholesterol Is Too Low – With all the bad cholesterol it gets, people are often surprised to learn that it is actually necessary for our health.
The amazing thing is that our bodies produce cholesterol naturally. But cholesterol is not all bad, or not all bad – it’s a complex topic and it’s important to know more about it.
What Happens If Your Cholesterol Is Too Low
Cholesterol is a substance produced in the liver that is important for human health. You can also get cholesterol from food.
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These are important functions, all depending on the presence of cholesterol. But a very good thing is not good at all.
There are different types of cholesterol that can affect your health. They can be identified through tests and blood tests.
When people talk about cholesterol, they often use the terms “LDL and HDL.” Both are lipoproteins, which are compounds made of fat and protein that are responsible for carrying cholesterol around your body in the bloodstream.
LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol because too much of it can lead to hardening of the arteries.
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, LDL leads to the accumulation of plaque in the walls of your arteries. When this plaque accumulates, it can cause two different and equally serious problems.
First, it can cause your blood vessels to narrow, reducing the flow of oxygenated blood to your body. Second, it can cause blood clots, which can damage and block blood flow, causing a heart attack or stroke.
When it comes to your cholesterol numbers, your LDL is the one you want to keep low
HDL helps keep your cardiovascular system healthy. It actually helps remove LDL from the blood vessels.
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It returns bad cholesterol to your liver, where it is broken down and removed from your body.
High levels of HDL have also been shown to prevent strokes and heart attacks, while low HDL has been shown to increase those risks.
When you check your cholesterol, you will be measured for both HDL and LDL, but also your total cholesterol and triglycerides.
Blood tests include a simple blood test, also known as a lipid profile. Before the test, you should not eat or drink for up to 12 hours. Your doctor will advise you if they need you to do anything before taking your blood.
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The test will help your doctor determine your HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels. Measuring these types of cholesterol can help you determine if you need to change your lifestyle to try to normalize these levels.
The ideal cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dL. Anything between 200 and 239 mg/dL is borderline, and anything above 240 mg/dL is high.
Triglycerides are another type of fat in your blood. Like cholesterol, too much is bad. But
High triglycerides are often accompanied by high cholesterol and are associated with a risk of heart disease. But it’s not clear whether high triglycerides are a risk factor.
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Doctors often measure the value of your triglyceride number against other parameters, such as obesity, cholesterol levels and more.
There are many things that affect your cholesterol level, some of which you can control. While genetics and weight may play a role, lifestyle choices regarding diet and exercise can increase or decrease your overall number.
Eating a diet that is low in cholesterol and high in fat, exercising regularly, and managing your overall weight.
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Our experts are constantly monitoring the health and wellness area, and we update our articles as new information becomes available. LDL is the “bad cholesterol” because too much of it in your blood can contribute to the formation of plaque in the arteries. Foods high in fat (such as full-fat dairy and red meat) can raise LDL. A heart-healthy diet, exercise and smoking cessation can help lower LDL. For most people, a normal LDL level is less than 100 mg/dL.
Lipoproteins are particles made of lipids (fats) and proteins that carry fats in your blood. Fat, because of its nature, cannot travel through your blood alone. Therefore, lipoproteins act as a vehicle that transports fat to your body’s cells. LDL particles contain more cholesterol and less protein.
Many people use “LDL” and “LDL cholesterol” interchangeably. LDL cholesterol is known as the “bad cholesterol.” But that is only part of the story. LDL cholesterol itself is not bad. That’s because cholesterol plays an important role in your body. However, the more LDL cholesterol you have, the more likely you are to have problems.
Most adults should keep their LDL below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). If you have a history of atherosclerosis, your LDL should be less than 70 mg/dL.
Control Your Cholesterol
LDL levels above 100 mg/dL increase the risk of heart disease. Health care providers use the following parameters to define your LDL cholesterol levels:
Health professionals check your cholesterol level with a simple blood test called a lipid panel. When you get your results, it’s important to talk to your provider about what your cholesterol numbers mean. These include your LDL and HDL cholesterol. HDL is the “good cholesterol” that helps remove excess cholesterol from your blood.
In general, health care providers recommend high levels of HDL cholesterol (especially above 60) and lower levels of LDL cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart disease. If your LDL is too high and your HDL is too low, your provider may recommend lifestyle changes and/or medications to bring your cholesterol numbers back to a healthy range.
Diets that are high in fat are the biggest causes of raising LDL cholesterol. These foods include:
How To Lower Ldl Cholesterol: 4 Simple Lifestyle Tips
There are many things you can do to lower your LDL cholesterol. For many people, starting with lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Here are some changes you can make:
Research shows that soluble fiber can lower LDL cholesterol. This type of fiber (roughage) prevents the absorption of cholesterol in your body. You should try to eat 10 to 25 grams (g) per day. Talk to your health care provider or dietitian about the right dosage for you.
The table below lists foods that you can add to your diet to increase your intake of soluble fiber.
Talking to a nutritionist can help you learn new ways to incorporate these foods into your daily diet.
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You need some cholesterol for your body to function properly. However, too much LDL (“bad”) cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries and cause problems down the road. That’s why it’s important to work with a health care provider to keep LDL levels in the normal range.
For many people, lifestyle changes can make a big difference. But if you change and your LDL is still high, you may feel confused or confused. Try not to blame yourself or feel sorry for yourself. Many factors that affect LDL (such as age and genetics) are out of your control. Talk to your provider about the changes you are making, and learn which medications are right for you.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit medical institution. Advertising on our website helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland products or services. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood and cells. Your liver makes most of the cholesterol in your body. The rest comes from the food you eat. Cholesterol travels in your blood packaged in packets called lipoproteins.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the “bad,” bad type of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries and form fatty, waxy deposits called plaques.
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High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good,” healthy form of cholesterol. It transports excess cholesterol from your blood to the liver, which removes it from your body.
Cholesterol itself is not bad. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D and digestive juices. Cholesterol also helps your organs function properly.
But having too much LDL cholesterol can be a problem. High LDL cholesterol over time can damage blood vessels, cause heart disease, and increase the risk of stroke. Checking your cholesterol with regular visits to your doctor and reducing your risk of heart disease with diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and medications can help reduce heart disease-related complications and improve your quality of life. you.
When you have too much LDL cholesterol in your body, it can build up in your arteries, clogging them and making them less likely to narrow. Hardening of the blood vessels is called atherosclerosis. Blood doesn’t flow through hard arteries, so your heart has to work harder to pump blood through them. Over time, when plaque builds up in the arteries, you can develop a heart attack.
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Plaque buildup in the arteries can impede the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. This can cause chest pain called angina. Angina is not a heart disease, but a temporary obstruction of blood flow. It is a warning that you are at risk of a heart attack. Pieces of plaque can eventually break off and form a scar or vein can develop
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