What Is The Difference Between Cholesterol And Triglycerides

What Does Ldl Cholesterol Do

LDL is considered the bad cholesterol. It carries cholesterol to your arteries, where it may collect in the vessel walls and contribute to plaque formation, known as atherosclerosis. This can lead to decreased blood flow to the heart muscle , leg muscles , or abrupt closure of an artery in the heart or brain, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Over a third of the US population has high LDL cholesterol. Diagnosis is made via blood testing, so if you dont check, you wont know.

For LDL, the lower the number the better. A good goal to keep in mind is less than 130 mg/dL if you dont have atherosclerotic disease or diabetes. It should be no more than 100 mg/dL, or even 70mg/dL, if you have any of those conditions or high total cholesterol. Its very important to set your own target cholesterol levels with your doctor. Obesity, a large waist circumference, a sedentary lifestyle, or a diet rich in red meat, full-fat dairy, saturated fat, trans fats, and processed foods can lead to high LDL cholesterol.

Benefits And Side Effects

Excess triglyceride levels, or hypertriglyceridemia, can contribute to coronary artery disease. Higher levels of triglycerides can indicate poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver disease or kidney disease. At normal levels, triglycerides are important in the production of energy for most cells in the body, except brain cells, and can be broken down to help build other cells.

Difference Between Cholesterol And Triglycerides

April 2, 2011 Posted by Dr.Guru

The key difference between cholesterol and triglycerides is that cholesterol is essential to build cells and certain hormones while triglycerides store unused calories and provide us with energy.

Triglycerides and cholesterol are two types of lipids that are important for our life. However, in excess, they may cause health problems. Triglyceride is an ester formed by glycerol and three fatty acids. Cholesterol is different in structure, and it may be synthesized in the liver or taken from dietary cholesterol. Cholesterol is important to produce steroid hormones and cortisol. They are important hormones for human life and function. Cholesterol is also essential in order to maintain cell membrane fluidity.

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Causes Of High Cholesterol

Elevated LDL cholesterol levels can be caused by several factors, including heredity conditions such as;familial hypercholesterolemia. More commonly, elevated cholesterol levels are related to poor diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, age, smoking, and gender .

Several medical conditions, including;diabetes,;hypothyroidism,;liver disease, and chronic kidney failure can also increase cholesterol levels. Some drugs, especially steroids and progesterone, can do the same.

What Is Ldl Cholesterol

Low density lipoprotein is a type of lipoprotein, which helps in the transportation of cholesterol in our body. This is often referred to as a bad cholesterol type since it can get deposited on blood vessel walls as thick and dense plaques and attracts macrophages which will eventually obstruct the vessel lumen causing Atherosclerosis.

Increased LDL levels markedly increase the risk of coronary artery disease.

Every person who is suspected to have Hypercholesterolemia should get a lipid profile done once in every month, which will reveal a laboratory measurement of LDL cholesterol in the body.

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Why Do We Need Cholesterol

Cholesterol plays a vital role in how your body works. There is cholesterol in every cell in your body, and it’s especially important in your brain, nerves and skin.

Cholesterol has three main jobs:

• Its part of the outer layer, or membrane, of all your bodys cells
• Its used to make vitamin D and steroid hormones which keep your bones, teeth and muscles healthy
• Its used to make bile, which helps to digest the fats you eat

Hdl Cholesterol Or Good Cholesterol

The role of HDL lipoproteins is to capture cholesterol molecules that are deposited in the arteries, to transport them to the liver. The latter will then take care of eliminating cholesterol through the digestive tract using the bile.

HDL therefore makes it possible to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood, hence the name ofgood cholesterol. It is considered that the HDL cholesterol level must be greater than 0.35 g / L to protect against cardiovascular disease.

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How To Control High Cholesterol Levels In Blood

High cholesterol levels in blood can be controlled by,

• Consuming a healthy diet rich in whole grain, oatmeals, leafy vegetables, fruits
• Cutting down excessive refined fats modified carbohydrates and unsaturated oils
• Regular exercises
• Quit smoking
• Cholesterol lowering drugs-Statins, according to medical advice

  Structure of LDL receptor family members

What Is The Difference Between Good And Bad Cholesterol

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Cholesterol a waxy substance that builds in the arteries is not completely harmful, despite its reputation for being bad for you. In fact, some of it can even improve your health when consumed in the right amounts.

The physicians at the USC CardioVascular Thoracic Institute at Keck Medicine of USC can measure your good cholesterol and bad cholesterol levels, and help you adopt healthier eating and living habits so you can achieve the best balance of both.

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Is Cholesterol A Fatty Acid

Cholesterol is an unsaturated alcohol in the steroid family of compounds; it is essential for the proper functioning of all animal cells and is a central component of their cell membranes. Triglycerides are fatty acid esters of glycerol which are the primary lipid portion of animal food fats which fat deposits.

Ldl Cholesterol Or Bad Cholesterol

LDL lipoproteins deposit cholesterol on the walls of the arteries, causing plaques of fat called atheromatous plaques, hence the name. bad cholesterol. It is therefore better to have a low level of LDL in the blood, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems. The LDL level should generally not exceed 1.6g / L. In a person with one or more cardiovascular risk factors , it is advisable not to exceed the limit of 1.3g / L.

The term total cholesterol includes HLD and LDL cholesterol levels. This rate must be less than or equal to 2g / L, but the lower it is, the better.

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How Can I Prevent High Cholesterol And Triglycerides

The American Heart Association recommends that no more than 6 percent of your daily calories come from saturated fat. The AHA also recommends avoiding trans fats whenever possible. Eating plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can also decrease high cholesterol.

Other ways that can help you maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels include:

• eating skinless poultry with no visible fat
• eating lean meats, in moderate portions
• eating low-fat or fat-free dairy products
• consuming polyunsaturated fats and mono-unsaturated fat instead of saturated fats and trans fats
• exercising for at least 30 minutes per day, 4 days per week
• avoiding fast food, junk food, and processed meats
• eating grilled and roasted foods instead of fried foods
• drinking less alcohol, alcohol causes triglyceride levels to increase

Good And Bad Cholesterol

You will often hear doctors and dietitians talk about two different types of cholesterol ;low-density lipoprotein cholesterol;, and;high-density lipoprotein cholesterol;. This way of talking about cholesterol is a convenient shorthand, but strictly speaking, it is not really correct.

Strictly speaking, as any good chemist will tell you, cholesterol is just cholesterol. One molecule of cholesterol is pretty much the same as another. So why do doctors talk about good and bad cholesterol?;

The answer has to do with lipoproteins.

Lipoproteins.;Cholesterol are lipids, and therefore do not dissolve in a water medium like blood. In order for lipids to be transported in the bloodstream without clumping together, they need to be packaged into small particles called lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are soluble in blood, and allow cholesterol and triglycerides to be moved with ease through the bloodstream.

The behavior of the various lipoproteins is determined by the specific kinds of proteins that appear on their surface. Lipoprotein metabolism is quite complex, and scientists are still working out all the details. However, most doctors concern themselves with two major types of lipoproteins: LDL and HDL.;

LDL Cholesterol Bad Cholesterol.;In most people, the majority of the cholesterol in the blood is packaged in LDL particles. LDL cholesterol is often called bad cholesterol.;

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How To Reduce Triglycerides In The Body

• Consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits and leafy vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and small portions of lean meat and fish
• Losing weight if overweight or obese
• Limiting sugary foods, modified carbohydrates, tobacco smoking, and alcohol
• Routine medical check-ups with lipid profile

It is highly recommended to keep triglycerides under control since their elevation above the marginal value can act as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and Diabetes Mellitus.

What Affects My Cholesterol Levels

A variety of things can affect cholesterol levels. These are some things you can do to lower your cholesterol levels:

• Diet. Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat make your blood cholesterol level rise. Saturated fat is the main problem, but cholesterol in foods also matters. Reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet helps lower your blood cholesterol level. Foods that have high levels of saturated fats include some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried and processed foods.
• Weight. Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. It also tends to increase your cholesterol. Losing weight can help lower your LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. It also raises your HDL cholesterol level.
• Physical Activity. Not being physically active is a risk factor for heart disease. Regular physical activity can help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol levels. It also helps you lose weight. You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most, if not all, days.
• Smoking.Cigarette smoking lowers your HDL cholesterol. HDL helps to remove bad cholesterol from your arteries. So a lower HDL can contribute to a higher level of bad cholesterol.

Things outside of your control that can also affect cholesterol levels include:

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How Can I Lower My Cholesterol

There are two main ways to lower your cholesterol:

• Heart-healthy lifestyle changes, which include:
• Heart-healthy eating. A heart-healthy eating plan limits the amount of saturated and trans fats that you eat. Examples include the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet and the DASH Eating Plan.
• Weight Management. If you are overweight, losing weight can help lower your LDL cholesterol.
• Physical Activity. Everyone should get regular physical activity .
• Managing stress. Research has shown that chronic stress can sometimes raise your LDL cholesterol and lower your HDL cholesterol.
• Quitting smoking.Quitting smoking can raise your HDL cholesterol. Since HDL helps to remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries, having more HDL can help to lower your LDL cholesterol.
• Drug Treatment. If lifestyle changes alone do not lower your cholesterol enough, you may also need to take medicines. There are several types of cholesterol medicines available, including statins. The medicines work in different ways and can have different side effects. Talk to your health care provider about which one is right for you. While you are taking medicines to lower your cholesterol, you should continue with the lifestyle changes.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Main Difference Ldl Vs Triglycerides

Cholesterol is a substance produced inside our body; it is also provided by certain types of food such as meat, butter, margarine, oils etc. Cholesterol is waxy in nature and does not dissolve in water. The key difference between LDL and triglycerides is that low density lipoprotein is a type of lipoprotein, which helps in the transportation of cholesterol in our body whereas Triglyceride is a form of dietary fat synthesized in the liver.

This article explores,

;;;; How to Calculate the Total LDL Level in Blood;;;; How to Control High Cholesterol Levels in Blood

3. What is Triglycerides?;;;; How to Reduce Triglycerides in the Body

4. What is the difference between LDL and Triglycerides?

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When To Seek Treatment

Deciding on whether you ought to be treated for high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels, whether that treatment ought to include drug therapy, and which drugs ought to be used;is not always entirely straightforward. Still, if your cardiovascular risk is elevated, the right treatment aimed at your lipid levels can substantially reduce your chances of having a heart attack, or even of dying prematurely. So when it comes to treating cholesterol and triglycerides, it is important to get it right. You can;read about current thinking on when and how treatment for blood lipids should be chosen.;

Cholesterol And Triglyceride Screening

Talk to your doctor about when you should get a cholesterol test.

Some health organizations recommend that everyone ages 20 and older be checked every 4 to 6 years for the risk of heart attack and stroke, which includes a cholesterol test.footnote 1 Other organizations recommend cholesterol tests for people ages 40 to 75.footnote 2

For more information, see When to Have a Cholesterol Test.

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How Can I Lower My Triglycerides Quickly

Another way to lower triglycerides and cholesterol naturally is by eating healthy fats. Omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides and bad cholesterol by increasing fat metabolism, according to the AHA. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily fish, such as salmon and herring, olive oil, and dietary supplements.

The Pros And Cons Of Total Cholesterol Hdl Ldl And Triglyceride Testing

Time to get your cholesterol checked. Okay, but which test should you get? It’s not so simple anymore. Here is a rundown of some of the choices and their pros and cons:

Total cholesterol.;This is the simplest and least expensive test. The test doesn’t require any sophisticated lab work, either. The simple, do-it-yourself home cholesterol tests measure total cholesterol.

But total cholesterol includes both “good” high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the “bad” varieties, chiefly low-density lipoprotein and very-low-density lipoprotein . So, if your total cholesterol is in the desirable category, it’s possible that you may have unhealthy levels of HDL and LDL and VLDL . Think of total cholesterol as a first glimpse, a peek. Doctors are not supposed to make any treatment decisions based on this number alone.

Cholesterol levels can be lowered by stress or infection. An injury, cancer,;stroke, or heart attack may have the same effect. So, if your cholesterol levels are unusually high or low, your doctor will probably want to repeat the test some weeks later. Abnormal readings may also lead to tests for other medical problems.

HDL cholesterol.;HDL wins its laurels as the “good” cholesterol because it sponges up cholesterol from blood vessel walls and ferries it to the liver for disposal. In contrast, LDL deposits the harmful fat in vessel walls.

An HDL level of 60 or above is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, and below 40 is associated with a higher risk.

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Triglycerides And Cholesterol: The Similarities

Here are some things that triglycerides and cholesterol have in common.

On their own, triglycerides and cholesterol are not bad. When they are at healthy levels, they are both part of a well-functioning body. But both triglycerides and cholesterol tend to get a bad rap, because

Too much of either isnt good. When your body has too much LDL, it can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Triglyceride elevations are known to associate with heart and vascular disease risk, although the relationship is not the same as with cholesterol, Milks says.

Both can be checked with a blood test. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels can both be measured easily by your doctor using a blood test called a lipid profile. Your doctor may order the test as part of a routine exam or to monitor a condition, such as high cholesterol, high triglycerides, heart disease, or diabetes.

Both are treated in a similar way. In the case of both triglycerides and cholesterol, a healthy lifestyle is key. Triglyceride levels are generally quite responsive to therapeutic lifestyle changes, says Milks. These include a healthy body weight, regular physical activity, a prudent diet, and no more than moderate alcohol consumption. All of these habits can improve cholesterol levels, too.

What Treatments Are Available For High Cholesterol

Treatment may include:

• Addressing risk factors. Some risk factors that can be changed include lack of exercise and poor eating habits.

• Cholesterol-lowering medicines. Medicines are used to lower fats in the blood, particularly LDL cholesterol. Statins are a group of medicines that can do this. The two most effective types are atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. Other medicines that lower cholesterol levels are ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors.

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Causes Of High Triglycerides

In many cases, habitual overeating causes high triglycerides. Occasionally, the trigger is an underlying condition such as:

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Hypothyroidism
• Some types of liver disease
• Some types of kidney disease
• Some genetic disorders, including the inherited disease familial hypertriglyceridemia and familial combined hyperlipidemia .

Why It Is Done

Cholesterol and triglyceride testing is done:

• As part of a routine physical exam to screen for a lipid disorder.
• To check your response to medicines used to treat lipid disorders.
• To help find your risk of having heart and blood flow problems, including heart attack and stroke.
• If you have unusual symptoms, such as yellow fatty deposits in the skin , which may be caused by a rare genetic disease that causes very high cholesterol levels.

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