HDL and LDL

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SOURCES
Bryg R J. Cholesterol Management Guide [home page on the Internet]. 2009 Sept. 26. [Understanding Cholesterol Numbers; cited 2011 Mar. 25]. 1 p. Available from: http://www.webmd.com/ch olesterolmanagement/guide/unde.... Cholesterol [home page on the Internet]. 2011 Jan. 20. [About Cholesterol; cited 2011 Mar. 26]. 5 p. Available from: http://www.heart.org/HEAR TORG/Conditions/Cholester ol/A.... Simon H. Cholesterol [home page on the Internet]. (MA): 2006 Apr. 12. [Cholesterols effects on the Heart; cited 2011 Mar. 26]. 4 p. Available from: http://www.healthcentral.c om/cholesterol/understandi ng....

SUMMARY
Overall, both LDL and HDL are good for your body. LDL helps with breaking down parts of cell membranes. Also, HDL can help with removing clogged arteries caused by LDL. Also it is important to monitor your cholesterol levels due to risk for heart attack. One good way to keep your levels where they should be is by eating healthy and exercising.

Alex Woodcock PBS Per. 4 5.1.2 3/26/11

HDL and LDL

HDL
HDL, or high density lipoprotein cholesterol, is commonly considered good cholesterol. This is due to the fact that it removes the LDL that may be clogged in the arteries.

HDL and LDL Numbers

For HDL, the higher the number, the better it is for your health.
HDL number 60 and above Lower than 40 in men Lower than 50 in women Category Optimal; low risk for heart disease High; increased risk for heart disease High; increased risk for heart disease

LDL
LDL, or low density lipoprotein cholesterol, is commonly referred to as bad cholesterol. This is because it may sometimes build up on the walls of arteries. This, in turn, would lead to a higher risk of heart disease. However, LDL is not bad cholesterol. LDL is helpful by binding to receptors on cell membranes and breaking them down. This is very helpful throughout the body.

HDL has the structure of a triglyceride, and in its carbon chains, it has many double bonds. These double bonds make it unsaturated or liquid at room temperature. Since it is a liquid, it can essentially wash away the bad cholesterol.

For LDL, the lower the number the better it is for your health.
LDL number Lower than 100 100-129 130-159 160-189 190 and above Category Optimal Okay, not best Almost high High Very high

LDL has a unique structure. It is a triglyceride with no double bonds in the carbon chains. This would make it saturated, and it would make it a solid at room temperature. This is why it sometimes clogs arteries.