by MELISSA NOHR - 09/10/2023
Source Article - Cholesterol: What is It and What are Healthy Levels? - DrJockers.com
Cholesterol: What is It and What are Healthy Levels?
One of the most confusing topics for many people is cholesterol. It is often portrayed as bad for your health, but cholesterol is actually essential for good health. Cholesterol is one of the most important molecules in your body and serves many necessary functions.
This article will explain the importance of cholesterol and how to determine if your levels are healthy. I will also discuss the top 10 factors that affect cholesterol and lipid ratios and ways to improve these numbers.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood that is needed by the body to build healthy cells. It is produced in the liver or consumed in the diet from animal products.
Cholesterol is a lipid. Lipids are fats and fatty substances used by the body as a source of energy. Lipids include cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL).
Dyslipidemia is when lipid levels are outside the normal range. It has a direct relationship with coronary artery disease (1). Dyslipidemia is characterized by:
- Hypercholesterolemia – increases in cholesterol only
- Hypertriglyceridemia – increases in triglycerides only
- Hyperlipidemia – increases in both cholesterol and triglycerides.
Importance of Cholesterol
Having good levels of cholesterol in the body is critical for good health. Cholesterol serves a number of important roles in the body.
- Cholesterol is a critical structural element in certain tissues, including the brain and nervous system. Around 25% of the cholesterol in our bodies is found in the brain. In fact, high cholesterol levels are linked to better cognitive function in the elderly (2).
- Cholesterol is a transport molecule to shuttle fat soluble nutrients into cells to be utilized appropriately.
- Cholesterol is an essential building block for hormones, including progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, and vitamin D.
- Cholesterol is used by the body to make bile acids to help digest fats.
Subtypes of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is carried through the blood attached to proteins. This combination of proteins and cholesterol is called a lipoprotein. These lipoproteins are the transport mechanisms for cholesterol and fat. It has a phospholipid shell that acts as an emulsifier so the fat and blood will mix.
There are different types of cholesterol based on what the lipoprotein carries: LDL, VLDL, and HDL.
LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transports mostly cholesterol. The primary role of LDL is to transport fat-soluble nutrients into cell membranes for use. LDL also helps to deliver saturated fat to the cell membrane.
While LDL is generally considered “bad” cholesterol, it is more complex. There are different types of LDL particles depending on their size. LDL particle size is important for determining whether LDL may contribute to heart disease or be protective of heart disease.
LDL levels can be elevated in individuals with low thyroid activity because T3 helps sensitize the LDL receptor on the cell membrane. Lower active T3 will cause an inability of the LDL particles to dock on the cell membrane drop the cholesterol and fat soluble nutrients into the cell. So the body adapts and increases the amount of overall LDL cholesterol similar to how insulin goes up in response to insulin resistance.
Ideal Range: 100-200
Pattern A
Pattern A LDL has a larger particle size. This pattern tends to carry more fat-soluble nutrients and antioxidants to protect the body from oxidative stress. Pattern A is more cardioprotective. Lower insulin and HbA1C levels are associated with these large buoyant particles.
Pattern B
Pattern B LDL has a smaller particle size and is more prone to oxidation. It is small enough to enter the endothelial lining of the artery where it can oxidize to form plaque. There is a high association between these small, dense particles and cardiovascular disease. Higher fasting insulin and HbA1C levels are associated with these small dense particles. These particle sizes can be looked at in closer detail in the NMR test.
VLDL Cholesterol
Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) carry mainly triglycerides to your tissues. VLDL is similar to LDL, but LDL carries mostly cholesterol instead of triglycerides. The triglycerides make VLDL denser than LDL. Once VLDL is released, enzymes in the bloodstream interact with triglycerides and change the lipoprotein from VLDL to LDL.
Ideal Range: 5-30 mg/dl
HDL Cholesterol
HDL or high-density lipoprotein has a high cholesterol to protein ratio (45-50% protein). It has the primary role of “SWEEPING UP” LDL particles and transporting them to the liver for recycling. It is important that LDL be cleared from the blood efficiently because of its high susceptibility to oxidation. LDL that remains in the bloodstream longer increases inflammation and your risk of heart disease.
Ideal Range: 55-80
Levels above 100 can indicate chronic inflammation or an active infection in the body.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood that helps to supply your body with energy. They are necessary for health but can contribute to heart disease and stroke when elevated. The optimal range for triglycerides is 40-80.
Lipoproteins transport triglycerides to the cell membrane. There they are broken down into fatty acids and metabolized to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Cells use ATP for energy. Triglycerides will be high in individuals with high insulin levels, insulin resistance and in fatty liver disease.
Ideal Range: 40-80
Healthy Ratios
There are important ratios to consider when analyzing cholesterol levels. Having a balanced ratio of LDL to HDL and triglycerides to HDL is essential for good health.
LDL: HDL Ratio: 3:1 or less (2:1 is optimal)
Triglyceride: HDL Ratio: 2:1 or less (1:1 is optimal) Higher trigylceride and lower HDL levels are typically an indication of insulin resistance and high fasting insulin levels
