HDL cholesterol - Your Friend in Dealing with Cholesterol Related Problems

HDL or high-density lipoprotein is often called good cholesterol because it helps the body eliminate LDL and thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Since it helps to increase your life span and safe guard you from heart attack it is called as your friend in dealing with cholesterol related problems. Learn more about HDL/LDL cholesterol cholesterol from the article and find how to raise HDL cholesterol. Eating healthy and nutritious rich Italian food is a great way to reduce cholesterol.

This article covers

• What are HDL and LDL cholesterols?
• What are Good Cholesterol Foods?
• Risk Factors Considered to raise HDL
• Detecting HDL Cholesterol Levels in Tests

High HDL cholesterol can save your life. When you raise HDL cholesterol, you reduce your risk of a heart attack by lowering bad cholesterol. There are many treatment options available for balancing HDL and LDL that includes lifestyle and diet changes, exercising and Fenobrate therapy to raise HDL in order to reach desirable HDL cholesterol levels. High HDL cholesterol may increase lifespan.

Cholesterol is produced in the body and is supplemented by some of the foods in our diet. Although cholesterol has a bad reputation, it does serve a purpose because it is used in the body for cell membrane production. There are two types of cholesterol we hear about, when discussing about high cholesterol and the health risks associated with it.

The first is LDL or low density lipoprotein. LDL is often called bad cholesterol because an excess of it clogs arteries and increases the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is also a fatty substance and it doesn’t dissolve in the blood. Low cholesterol and HDL keeps arteries clear of buildup.

HDL or high-density lipoprotein is often called good cholesterol because it helps the body eliminate LDL and thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. High levels of HDL are considered beneficial because it is believed that HDL catches LDL up as it passes through the arteries. Once the LDL is attached to the HDL, it is swept through the blood and into the liver where it is then broken down and eliminated. If one wants to Raise HDL cholesterol levels, it can be accomplished by monitoring diet and taking supplements and medications when necessary such as fenofibrate therapy. Taking the right steps now can result in increasing HDL cholesterol level.

What are Good Cholesterol Foods?

Beneficial Fats

Olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, cashews, peanuts, avocado, corn oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, fish etc

HDL Promoting Foods

Red wine, orange juice, beans, fish, oat bran, onions, soy products and soluble fiber as is found in apples, grapes and citrus foods

Other Risk Factors Considered

Smoking, obesity, and lack of activity and fitness are all considered relevant when considering frequency for testing. Continue to : Detecting HDL Cholesterol Levels in Tests

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