LDL Cholesterol - Low-density liproterin

Low-density liproterin also known as LDL cholesterol transports cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver and small intestine to cells and tissues which are taking up cholesterol and triglycerides.

Because LDLs transport cholesterol to the arteries and has the ability to stick on them thus creating plaques, risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease increase. This is why cholesterol inside LDL lipoproteins is called bad cholesterol.

The biggest dietary factor affecting blood cholesterol levels is the type of fats eaten. Mono- and poly-unsaturated fats lower LDL cholesterol levels and raise HDL while saturated and trans fats raise LDL levels.

If you're making a diet list for yourself of which foods do what, these are important to remember and should be written down. There are some wonderful recipes with these food types.

Good diet foods containing monounsaturated fats (for lowering LDL levels):

Olive oil
Nuts
Avocados

Good diet food diet foods containing polyunsaturated fats (for lowering LDL levels):

Corn
Safflower
Cottonseed oils
Fish

One should also watch what kind of carbohydrates one eats.

Bad diet foods containing highly processed carbohydrates (raising LDL and triglyceride levels) Avoid:

Black-and-white cookies
Glazed donuts
Corn-syrupy soda

Theses foods have been associated with high triglyceride blood levels and lowered HDL levels thus raising LDL level and increasing the risk of heart disease.

Good diet foods containing carbohydrates that your body likes (lowering LDL and raising HDL):

Brown rice
Whole grains
Fruit
Oats

The main difference between HDL and LDL cholesterol is quite large. LDL's are bad cholesterol because they increase your risk of hardened arteries and contribute to higher cholesterol. Unlike LDLs, HDLs can be carried around the bloodstream much more easily. In fact many experts believe that HDL cholesterol can actually help to remove LDLs and other substances that are blocking the arteries. Very good for people with "high cholesterol". High LDL cholesterol is a more accurate term to use if you want to explain the difference between the two and avoid any misunderstandings.

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