What Are The Types Of Cholesterol?

Don’t we all love to eat? Every day we spend a considerable portion of our time dining out or sharing a bite or two with friends.  But before you bite into that burger or slice of pizza again, think about cholesterol and what it does to your arteries.

Here are some tips on the different types of cholesterol and how to manage and limit bad cholesterol from our diet:

By definition, cholesterol is a fat-like substance which is essential for the normal functioning of our body systems.  Benefits of different types of cholesterol include synthesis of bile acid in the liver, maintenance of cell membrane integrity of all body tissues and even the synthesis of steroid hormones and other lipids.

Cholesterol is also important in the synthesis of reproductive hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.

However, our body only needs a limited amount of cholesterol and when too much is already present inside the body, possible health complications might actually develop.  But before you decide to totally get rid of cholesterol-rich food, you must first understand that there are different types of cholesterol, and that you can actually still consume some of these in moderation.

The types of cholesterol are actually dependent on the density of the cholesterol-protein package called lipoprotein which is the only means by which cholesterol can travel through the bloodstream. 

These lipoproteins have three classifications:

1) very low density,

2) low density and

3) high density.

The classification is primarily dependent on the amount of protein available in relation to its fat content. VLDL or very low density lipoproteins are cholesterol that contain mostly fat.  The same is true for LDL or low density lipoproteins which are also called the bad cholesterol. It contains more fat which can cause buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries.  This build up will in time lead to heart disease. On the positive end however is the HDL or the high density lipoproteins which is considered as the good cholesterol. This cholesterol basically helps the body get rid of the bad cholesterol.

Knowing about these types of cholesterol must not however be the end of your journey towards healthy eating.  Knowing the source of these cholesterol must also be high priority. 

Unlike other vitamins and minerals however, there is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) or adequate intake (AI) set for cholesterol for any age bracket.  The reason behind this is the fact that normally, the human body is actually designed to meet its cholesterol requirements by synthesizing it indigenously.  Therefore, there is no longer a need for cholesterol from dietary sources.

However, our food intake still contains these cholesterol that when not synthesized properly by the body, might build up and lead to health complications. Among the top sources of cholesterol are beef, pork, veal, poultry products and other meat based byproducts.

Now that you know about the different types of cholesterol and their sources, be more aware of the food you eat.

You’ll never go wrong with vegetables, and of course, for protein, try lean meats like chicken. If you’re serious about your health, then the time to act, is now.