HEALTH

Cholesterol is one of the most well-known, yet misunderstood, compounds found in the body. One of the biggest misconceptions is that all cholesterol is bad. The truth is that your body would fall apart without this critical component, which is essential for making cell membranes and hormones.

What’s important to know is that there is a difference between what’s commonly referred to as “good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol.”

Cholesterol travels through your body’s bloodstream on two different types of lipoproteins – particles made of protein and fat. The types are:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): This is the so-called bad cholesterol. When your body has too much of it, it can create dangerous buildup (plaque) on the walls of your blood vessels. Over time, this blockage can cause chest pain, heart attacks and strokes.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL): This good cholesterol transports cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be eliminated from your body. High levels of this material can help lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the other common misconceptions and myths about cholesterol.

1. If I had high cholesterol, I would know it

The reality is that high cholesterol fits into the category of disorders and conditions referred to as “silent.” Particularly in the early stages, high cholesterol offers no noticeable symptoms. Waiting for your body to tell you that you have high cholesterol can be dangerous, since it may announce itself through a heart attack, chest pain, stroke or diabetes. Only a blood test can tell if you have cholesterol issues.

2. I can’t do anything to lower my cholesterol

Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to improve your cholesterol levels. The first options are diet and exercise, followed by medication. Making better diet choices, in particular, can both lower your bad cholesterol and raise your good cholesterol. You should cut back on foods that are high in saturated fats, dietary cholesterol, salt, refined grains and ultra-processed food.