LDL and HDL Cholesterol
Also known as: Bad cholesterol and good cholesterol
The two main cholesterol markers used to assess heart disease risk: LDL ('bad') and HDL ('good').
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) are carriers that transport cholesterol through the bloodstream. LDL is often called 'bad' cholesterol because elevated levels are associated with plaque buildup in arteries. HDL is often called 'good' cholesterol because it helps transport cholesterol back to the liver for removal.
Diet composition, particularly the type of fat consumed, meaningfully influences both markers.
In Practice
Replacing saturated fat (butter, fatty meat) with monounsaturated fat (olive oil, avocado) tends to lower LDL cholesterol while maintaining or improving HDL cholesterol, a favorable shift for cardiovascular risk.
Worth Knowing
Total cholesterol alone is a limited picture. The ratio of LDL to HDL, along with other markers like triglycerides, gives a more complete view of cardiovascular risk than either number in isolation.