Question

In: Biology

why is HDL sometimes called "good cholesterol" and LDL termed "bad cholesterol"? and what are some...

why is HDL sometimes called "good cholesterol" and LDL termed "bad cholesterol"? and what are some lifestyle changes that can be made to encourage a healthier ratio of HDL: LDL?

Solutions

Expert Solution

High density lipoprotein is involved in removal of cholesterol forms from the blood circulation/organs. It will bind to excess cholesterol in circulation and other tissues and will transport the excess cholesterol to the liver. The liver hepatocytes will then degrade this cholesterol. Thus, HDL will protect the heart from deposition of cholesterol and hence it is called good cholesterol.

Low density lipoprotein or LDL is a transporter of cholesterol from liver to blood and different part of the body. Cholesterol is required by the body as it is a part of the cell membrane. It is also required for biosynthesis of hormones, vitamin D and other compounds. However, if LDL levels rise, they can deposit cholesterol on the arteries, leading to formation of atherosclerosis plaques. Atherosclerosis plaques will block blood supply to the heart, causing heart attacks. Hence, it is known as bad cholesterol.

A good HDL:LDL ratio is good for functioning of the heart. Various ways to improve this ratio are:

a. Right choice of Food: Reduced amount of saturated fats in diet will increase HDL:LDL ratio. Red meat and other fat rich animal products have higher amounts of total cholesterol, as cholesterol is found in animals only. Saturated fats are rich in LDL and hence, using polyunsaturated oils for cooking will decrease LDL and increase HDL levels. Transfats are present in processed foods such as potato chips. Partially hydrogenated oils have Trans fats and products using these oils increase trans-fat consumption. Trans fats increase LDL levels. Hence, a diet lacking trans fats is beneficial to increase HDL:LDL ratio. Absorption of cholesterol is decreased when the fiber rich food is consumed. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and thus will increase HDL levels. Keto diet or low carb diet will increase utilization of cholesterol, thereby decreasing HDL levels.

b. Regular exercise: High intensity Exercise will use up the cholesterol as a source of energy. Thus, LDL levels will decrease.

c. Reduction in smoking: Smoking causes suppression of HDL cholesterol. Reducing smoking is thus a healthy life style choice.

d. Use of Purple foods: Purple foods such as purple cabbage are rich in anthrocyanin. Anthrocyanin are known to increase HDL cholesterol by nearly 13%.

e. Consumption of fish: Fish and Fish oils are rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. Some studies have shown a 5% increase in HDL cholesterol by omega -3 fatty acids in food.


Related Solutions

Distinguish between "good" and "bad" cholesterol. In your discussion, include descriptions of HDL and LDL explaining...
Distinguish between "good" and "bad" cholesterol. In your discussion, include descriptions of HDL and LDL explaining which type of cholesterol is detrimental to your health and why. Format: 12 point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, APA format.
Matlab: Write a program that receives the Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and Tryglycerides of a patient...
Matlab: Write a program that receives the Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and Tryglycerides of a patient and then use IF and AND (&&) to determine that patient is healthy or not using the following the normal level of Total Cholesterol : below 200 mg/dl LDL : below 130 mg/dl HDL : above 35 mg/dl Tryglycerides : below 200 mg/dl If the patient is healthy show “Good health”, if not then show “See a Doctor”.
Total cholesterol content in HDL is higher than that of LDL. Group of answer choices True...
Total cholesterol content in HDL is higher than that of LDL. Group of answer choices True False Flag this Question Question 581 pts LDL uptake in cells is mediated by receptors. Group of answer choices True False Flag this Question Question 591 pts Both even- and odd-carbon chain fatty acids are catabolized by beta-oxidation. Group of answer choices True False Flag this Question Question 601 pts Carnitine is a carrier for fatty acid for transportation from the cytosol to the...
10)Two types of cholesterol transport proteins, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), bind to cholesterol...
10)Two types of cholesterol transport proteins, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), bind to cholesterol and carry it through the bloodstream. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by high cholesterol levels in the blood, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. FH is associated with a loss-of-function mutation of a gene that encodes LDL receptors in liver cells. Individuals who are heterozygous produce lower-than-normal amounts of the LDL receptors, and individuals who are homozygous for the mutant allele have no LDL...
A government sample survey plans to measure the LDL (bad) cholesterol level of an SRS of...
A government sample survey plans to measure the LDL (bad) cholesterol level of an SRS of men aged 20 to 34. Suppose that in fact the LDL cholesterol level of all men aged 20 to 34 follows the Normal distribution with mean μ = 111 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and standard deviation σ = 25 mg/dL. Use Table A for the following questions, where necessary. 1. What is the probability that  x takes a value between 107 and 115 mg/dL? This...
A government sample survey plans to measure the LDL (bad) cholesterol level of an SRS of...
A government sample survey plans to measure the LDL (bad) cholesterol level of an SRS of men aged 20 to 34. Suppose that in fact the LDL cholesterol level of all men aged 20 to 34 follows the Normal distribution with mean μ = 110 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and standard deviation σ = 25 mg/dL. What is the probability that x takes a value between 107 and 113 mg/dL? This is the probability that x estimates μ within ±3...
A government sample survey plans to measure the LDL (bad) cholesterol level of an SRS of...
A government sample survey plans to measure the LDL (bad) cholesterol level of an SRS of men aged 20 to 34. Suppose that in fact the LDL cholesterol level of all men aged 20 to 34 follows the Normal distribution with mean μ = 119 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and standard deviation σ = 25 mg/dL. Use Table A for the following questions, where necessary. (a) Choose an SRS of 100 men from this population. What is the sampling distribution...
Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL Select one: a. Common Test for Lavender Top Tubes b. Coronary Risk...
Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL Select one: a. Common Test for Lavender Top Tubes b. Coronary Risk Profile c. Serology (Immunology) Section d. Capillary Blood
Proforma earning are sometimes called "Earning before the bad stuff". Explain and why?
Proforma earning are sometimes called "Earning before the bad stuff". Explain and why?
what VLDL are and what they transport? LDL, know what they transport? HDL, know what they...
what VLDL are and what they transport? LDL, know what they transport? HDL, know what they transport?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT