High density lipoprotein

High density lipoprotein (HDL)

A fraction of total serum lipids, the so called "good" cholesterol.

Mentioned in: Hypercholesterolemia

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Patient discussion about High density lipoprotein.

Q. How can I increase my HDL cholesterol levels? My Doctor told me that my cholesterol levels are not good and that I should lower my LDL and higher my HDL. I understand how to lower the cholesterol, but how can I increase the HDL?

A. Here are a few things you can do in order to raise your HDL levels:
Aerobic exercise
Lose weight
Stop smoking
Cut out the trans fatty acids from your diet.
Alcohol: one or two drinks per day can significantly increase HDL levels
Increase the monounsaturated fats in your diet.
Add soluble fiber to your diet.

Q. How to lower high cholesterol? The Doctor told my husband that his cholesterol levels are very high and that he has to lower them immediately. What foods are low in cholesterol and what foods should I be cooking for him to eat?

A. Any treatment of high cholesterol first begins with some lifestyle changes. This involves three simple, yet often difficult to execute, steps: improved diet, increased physical activity, and weight management.
Make sure your Husband is eating unsaturated fats instead of saturated and trans fats, avoiding cholesterol, increasing dietary fiber, and consuming more plant sterols/stanols. Increase his vegetables and whole grains intake, but decrease the fat, salt and sugar intakes.
Also, it will be easier for him to stick to his diet if the whole family changes their eating habits and eats healthier too. Start cooking healthy meals for the whole family and not just for him.

Q. Which cholesterol is the bad cholesterol and what level is considered high cholesterol? I keep on hearing about cholesterol and how it is bad for you though I understand that there are two kinds of cholesterol and that only one of them is bad, which is it? Also, what level is considered high cholesterol?

A. Cholesterol can’t dissolve in the blood. It has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as “bad” cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as “good” cholesterol. These two types of lipids, along with triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol, make up your total cholesterol count, which can be determined through a blood test. If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or greater, or if your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL, then you will probably need treatment.