|
What Is Bad Cholesterol
Healthy living is a growing concern in society today and it’s a hot topic that everyone wants to be a part of. Unfortunately, with so much information circulating it’s often difficult to sort through and find out what’s truly valuable instead of falling for gimmicks or misinformation. First, the word says: cholesterol is bad; don’t eat foods with cholesterol; then, not all cholesterol is bad; be sure to eat some cholesterol. Then there’s such a thing as good cholesterol; be sure to eat lots of good cholesterol. It can be overwhelming and confusing. Thankfully there’s now somewhat of a consensus that says there is bad cholesterol and good cholesterol. So the question is: what is bad cholesterol?
Bad cholesterol is more formally referred to as LDL or low-density lipoprotein. It’s exactly as its name suggests: bad. This is the kind of cholesterol that clogs arteries and creates plaque buildup. This can lead to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, heart attack and a variety of other heart diseases. These conditions often require surgical intervention and many are ultimately fatal. However, LDL is still necessary for the body to run properly and smoothly. Other health risks may arise if bad cholesterol is completely eliminated from one’s diet. This however may seem contradictory; if bad cholesterol is bad then why does the body need it? What is bad cholesterol for?
In this case, bad cholesterol may be a bit of a misnomer. Cholesterol is needed for a body’s cells to stay healthy, to grow and divide. It serves as an essential nutrient for many of the body’s tissues. Also, cholesterol is a base substance for many critical hormones, including sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen. For those reasons, the body does need LDL cholesterol. However, for dietary purposes it is best to aim for foods that contain HDL cholesterol, or good cholesterol. This ensures that bad cholesterol doesn’t start to accumulate and pose a threat to one’s health.
| 
Cutting Through the Mass