What Is HDL Cholesterol And What Is Its Function?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol,

absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver

. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

What is the role of LDL and HDL cholesterol?


HDL helps rid your body of excess cholesterol

so it’s less likely to end up in your arteries. LDL is called “bad cholesterol” because it takes cholesterol to your arteries, where it may collect in artery walls. Too much cholesterol in your arteries may lead to a buildup of plaque known as atherosclerosis.

What is the normal HDL level?

At risk Desirable Men Less than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L)

60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or

above
Women Less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) 60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or above

What is the difference between HDL and LDL cholesterol?

HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol is known as “

good” cholesterol

. HDL takes the “bad,” LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol out of your blood and keeps it from building up in your arteries.

What if your HDL is low?

People with normal HDL cholesterol can have heart disease. And people with low HDL levels

can have healthy hearts

. Overall, though, people who have low HDL cholesterol will have greater risk of developing heart disease than people with high HDL levels.

What is the normal range for HDL and LDL?

Type of Cholesterol Healthy Level Total Cholesterol 125 to 200mg/dL
Non-HDL


Less than 130mg/dL

LDL


Less than 100mg/dL

HDL


40mg/dL or higher

What is a good LDL HDL ratio?

The higher the ratio, the higher the risk. Most healthcare providers want the ratio to be below 5:1. A ratio

below 3.5:1

is considered very good.

What is a good HDL level for a woman?

So what are your target numbers? According to Michos, an ideal LDL cholesterol level should be less than 70 mg/dl, and a woman’s HDL cholesterol level ideally should be

close to 50 mg/dl

. Triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dl.

Is an HDL level of 75 good?

An ideal HDL level is

60 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) or above

. Your HDL is considered low if it’s below 40 mg/dL. You should aim to have an HDL level between 40 and 60 mg/dL, but over 60 mg/dL is optimal.

How can I raise my HDL fast?

  1. Get active. Physical activity can boost your HDL level. …
  2. Lose extra weight. If you’re overweight, losing extra pounds can help raise your HDL levels, as well as cut your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels.
  3. Choose better fats. …
  4. Alcohol in moderation. …
  5. Stop smoking.

Is 199 cholesterol bad?

What are normal cholesterol levels? We say that a total cholesterol less than 170 is good.

Anything between 170 and 199 is considered borderline

and anything more than 200 is considered high. The total cholesterol is the HDL, LDL and a fraction of your triglycerides – another type of fat found in your blood.

Which cholesterol number is most important?

When we measure cholesterol and blood fats, we’re really talking about three different numbers: HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. They combine to give you a “lipid profile” score, but the three individual scores are most important. Here are the numbers to strive for: Total cholesterol of

200 mg/dL or lower

.

Is LDL of 200 bad?

Total cholesterol levels less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are considered desirable for adults. A reading between 200 and 239 mg/dL is considered borderline high and a reading of 240 mg/dL and above is considered high. LDL cholesterol levels should be

less than 100 mg/dL

.

Do eggs increase HDL?

The science is clear that up to 3 whole eggs per day are perfectly safe for healthy people. Summary

Eggs consistently raise HDL (the “good”) cholesterol

. For 70% of people, there is no increase in total or LDL cholesterol. Some people may experience a mild increase in a benign subtype of LDL.

Why is low HDL bad?

This study found that lower HDL cholesterol levels were

associated with a higher risk of death from cardiovascular causes

, as prior studies have shown. However, there was also a higher risk of death from cancer and other causes compared with those having average levels of HDL cholesterol.

What are symptoms of low HDL?

  • hopelessness.
  • nervousness.
  • confusion.
  • agitation.
  • difficulty making a decision.
  • changes in your mood, sleep, or eating patterns.
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.
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