Good versus bad cholesterol - understand the difference

What is cholesterol?

We often hear about cholesterol, but what exactly is it? Cholesterol is a fatty substance, a type of lipid, that is produced by your body, but it can also be found in food.¹ In your body, your liver makes cholesterol. In fact, most of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver.¹ The rest of the cholesterol in your body – a much smaller amount – comes from foods including meat and eggs.²

What does cholesterol do?

Our bodies don’t need a lot of cholesterol, but it’s essential to have some. This is because your body makes hormones, Vitamin D and digestive fluids from cholesterol.³ Plus the walls of all your cells, particularly the nervous system ones, are built with cholesterol.¹ But, as you probably know, too much of the wrong type of cholesterol can be bad for you.

Good vs. bad cholesterol – what’s the difference?

Cholesterol is transported around your body in your blood, where it is carried by substances called lipoproteins. It is either carried by HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or LDL (low-density lipoprotein).¹

It’s these lipoproteins that make cholesterol “good” or “bad”.

When cholesterol is carried by LDL, it’s called “bad cholesterol”, or LDL cholesterol.¹
When cholesterol is carried by HDL, it’s called “good” cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol.¹
Create infographic with more information about each when you tap/click

Why is high LDL cholesterol bad?

LDL carries cholesterol to your arteries¹
Over time cholesterol can build up and form plaques in your arteries¹
Plaques can block arteries and disrupt the flow of oxygen-rich blood to organs, creating damage to the arteries¹
A plaque can eventually break off, creating a clot which blocks arteries and may lead to a heart attack or stroke⁴

Why is high HDL cholesterol good?

HDL carries cholesterol from your arteries to the liver, reducing the risk of plaque creation¹
our liver can dispose of this cholesterol¹

Getting the balance right

A total cholesterol test will measure your levels of both types of cholesterol – your good HDL cholesterol and your bad LDL cholesterol. It’s the ratio between your good HDL cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol that’s important.⁵ Getting the balance right can help lower your risk of heart disease.⁵

Healthy cholesterol levels

For adults, these are the healthy cholesterol levels that you should aim for.⁶

Total cholesterol: 200 mg/dL or less
Good HDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or more
Bad LDL cholesterol: 100 mg/dL or less

Maintaining the balance

You can do a lot to help keep your cholesterol levels balanced. For starters, a healthy fibre-rich diet will help.⁷ Natural plant-based fibre supplements, such as soluble fibre from corn, can give you a fibre boost and help you manage your cholesterol levels.⁸To learn about how taking this type of natural supplement can play a role in cholesterol balance, read more here.

References

HealthDirect. What is cholesterol? Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/what-is-cholesterol (accessed July 2018).
Heart UK. The myth of dietary cholesterol. Available at: https://heartuk.org.uk/cholesterol-and-diet/low-cholesterol-diets-and-foods/dietary-cholesterol (accessed July 2018).
Tabas I. J Clin Invest 2002;110(5):583-590.
Healthline. Does high cholesterol cause heart disease? Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/cholesterol-and-heart-disease#risk-factors (accessed July 2018).
Healthline. Understanding the cholesterol ratio: what it is and why it’s important. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/cholesterol-ratio (accessed July 2018).
Bruckert E, Rosenbaum D. Curr Opin Lipidol 2011;22(1):43-48.
Amar AJ, et al. Lipids Health Dis 2016;15(1):115.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Your guide to lowering your cholesterol with therapeutic lifestyle changes. NIH Publication No. 06–5235. December 2005.

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References