Cholesterol has become a huge buzzword among physicians who are constantly warning their patients about the dangers of high cholesterol. Too much cholesterol contributes to hardening of the arteries. Essentially it can lead to heart disease, which is the top killer of adults in the United States. Total cholesterol should be no higher than 200 mg/dL. LDL levels should not exceed 100 mg/dL. But what makes for "good" and "bad" cholesterol? Low-density lipoproteins might be a mouthful, but it's an important term to familiarize yourself with. Lipoproteins are what carry cholesterol through the bloodstream, and LDL cholesterol tends to build up on the walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Arteries can harden and get blocked as a result of this plaque buildup and cause a heart attack or stroke, which is why LDL is the "bad" cholesterol.
High-density lipoproteins, or "good" cholesterol, carry cholesterol to the liver, where the body excretes it. High levels of HDL seem to protect against heart disease, which is why HDL is referred to as "good" cholesterol. When getting cholesterol checked, your doctor might also discuss triglycerides, which is a type of fat made in the body. Elevated triglycerides can be due to smoking, obesity, excess alcohol consumption and a high-carbohydrate diet. High triglycerides tend to mean high cholesterol, with higher LDL and lower HDL levels. Diet, weight and physical activity can affect cholesterol levels. Check with your physician to get your cholesterol checked on a regular basis.