Lipoproteins are closely related with cholesterol, but they are not the same thing. Lipoproteins are primarily responsible for carrying fats, and fatty substances like cholesterol and triglycerides.
The two main types of lipoprotein are HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein). Furthermore, they can be categorised into two more types, VLDL (very low density lipoproteins) and Chylomicrons. HDL is also called the good cholesterol, and LDL is called bad cholesterol.
The reason behind this is the fact that HDL carries cholesterol out of the body, while on the other hand LLD carry it into it.
How can LDL be harmful?
There are two ways that cholesterol enters the body. You either consume it directly from fatty foods, or it is produced inside your body in the liver. This is why it is important to abstain from food with excessive amounts of cholesterol. It is important for the liver to produce its own, but the more cholesterol you consume directly, the lesser it will.
The liver absorbs fatty acids from your blood, for this, and produces LDL which is responsible for transporting cholesterol to the cells, which is utilise it to carry out their regular functions, like producing hormones, or enzymes. This is where cholesterol is important.
But LDL and VLDL, being low in density, can travel through the blood vessels. As mentioned above, they contain cholesterol, which they absorb from the blood stream. When LDL‘s travel through the blood vessels, they deposit cholesterol inside the walls. This takes the form of plaque, which gets in the way of blood flow and acts as blockage.
What is lipoprotein testing?
These are tests, like blood tests that are used to measure the levels of lipids inside the body in relation to the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides.
The ideal amount is fixed as per a person’s body size, and type. It is important to know if you have more or less lipoproteins than you need. If you have more, the doctors, can recommend a certain treatment. The diet may have to be changed, for a more balanced one. Also, an exercise regime that is meant to keep the body fit and the blood regulated is advisable. There are other modes of treatments for more serious cases.
The two main types of lipoprotein are HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein). Furthermore, they can be categorised into two more types, VLDL (very low density lipoproteins) and Chylomicrons. HDL is also called the good cholesterol, and LDL is called bad cholesterol.
The reason behind this is the fact that HDL carries cholesterol out of the body, while on the other hand LLD carry it into it.
How can LDL be harmful?
There are two ways that cholesterol enters the body. You either consume it directly from fatty foods, or it is produced inside your body in the liver. This is why it is important to abstain from food with excessive amounts of cholesterol. It is important for the liver to produce its own, but the more cholesterol you consume directly, the lesser it will.
The liver absorbs fatty acids from your blood, for this, and produces LDL which is responsible for transporting cholesterol to the cells, which is utilise it to carry out their regular functions, like producing hormones, or enzymes. This is where cholesterol is important.
But LDL and VLDL, being low in density, can travel through the blood vessels. As mentioned above, they contain cholesterol, which they absorb from the blood stream. When LDL‘s travel through the blood vessels, they deposit cholesterol inside the walls. This takes the form of plaque, which gets in the way of blood flow and acts as blockage.
What is lipoprotein testing?
These are tests, like blood tests that are used to measure the levels of lipids inside the body in relation to the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides.
The ideal amount is fixed as per a person’s body size, and type. It is important to know if you have more or less lipoproteins than you need. If you have more, the doctors, can recommend a certain treatment. The diet may have to be changed, for a more balanced one. Also, an exercise regime that is meant to keep the body fit and the blood regulated is advisable. There are other modes of treatments for more serious cases.
