Certain cholesterol is good for you

MYTH: All cholesterol is bad for you.

Fact: Certain types of cholesterol are essential for good health. Our body needs cholesterol to perform important tasks, such as aiding in the production of sex hormones, acting as a building block for human tissues and assisting in the bile production of the liver.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in our blood and cells, with our liver making most of it in the body. The rest comes from the foods we eat and travels in our blood bundled up in packets called lipoproteins and comes in two main forms LDL and HDL.

Low­density lipoprotein (LDL) is the unhealthy cholesterol, it can build up in our arteries and form fatty, waxy deposits called plaques. Over time LDL can damage your arteries, contribute to heart disease, and strokes. This can be easily diagnosed with a carotid ultrasound.

High­density lipoprotein (HDL) is the healthy kind of cholesterol, it transports excess cholesterol out of your arteries to your liver, excreting it from your body.

Triglycerides are the main type of fat in our body and are measured together with cholesterol by a blood test and are linked to being overweight or eating foods that are high in fat and sugar. High levels also increase our risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Make an appointment now at Clinica Britannia for your cholesterol check as prevention is always a better option than cure.