Learn how cholesterol impacts your health

Cholesterol isn't necessarily a bad or scary word. Your body needs it and knowing the difference between LDL and HDL is important.

There are two types of cholesterol. One is the "good" kind your body needs (HDL) and the other (LDL) is the "bad" kind which you should try and limit.

HDL cholesterol: the "good" kind

High-density lipoproteins, or HDL cholesterol, is typically known as the "good" kind of cholesterol. Your body needs a certain amount of it so it can move plaque away from your artery walls and to your liver, where it can be metabolized and removed from your body. This can help decrease your chance of getting heart disease, but it needs to work in conjunction with other good, healthy habits as well.

LDL cholesterol: the "not good" kind

The other type of cholesterol is low-density lipoprotein, which can build up in your bloodstream and stick to your artery walls. When this happens, your artery walls can become narrower and stiffer, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. It can also increase the chances of having a clot stuck in your arteries; if one of these clots move to your heart or brain, it can result in a heart attack or stroke.

The role of diet and exercise in cholesterol

There's no surefire way to equate diet and exercise with higher or lower levels of HDL or LDL cholesterol, as some people who eat very healthy can have elevated cholesterol levels while the opposite can also hold true. Genetics and gender also play roles in how a person's body processes cholesterol, but it's generally a good idea to eat well and exercise regularly.

Eating well, such as consuming more plant-based foods than animal foods, can be one way to lower the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood, as dietary cholesterol is only found in animal products. However, diet only accounts for about 20% of cholesterol in your body; the other 80% is made in your liver.

Exercising for about 30 minutes most days of the week can also be a way to both lower LDL and raise HDL levels. Not only does it help move blood throughout your vessels, but it can also help you lose weight. Both of these may help lower your risk for heart disease.

How much cholesterol is good for you

You should speak to your doctor about learning just how much cholesterol you need in your body. Generally speaking though, a value that's below 200 mg/dl (5.2 mmol/l) is a good amount. If your reading is above that, then take a look at the HDL and LDL values separately. If that's the case, then your LDL value should be below 130 mg/dl (3.5 mmol/l), while your HDL value should be 45 mg/dl (1.2 mmol/l) and higher.

You can also calculate the ratio between LDL and HDL to get a rough idea of your risk of acquiring cardiovascular disease. All you have to do is take your overall cholesterol reading and divide it by the HDL number. If the ratio number is 4.5 or less, you can take it as a sign you're living healthy and doing things right.