What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fatty substance that helps build cells, triglycerides are a type of fat that stores energy in your cells. LDL (low-density lipoprotein – often called ‘bad’ cholesterol) transports the cholesterol) and VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) carries the triglycerides.
LDL and VLDL are called bad cholesterol because it helps build plaque deposits on the walls of arteries. These deposits reduce the flow of blood to the heart, starving it of blood, weakening the heart muscle. This will lead to heart pain also called angina which can further progress to a heart attack.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is called ‘good’ cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver.
We do need fats but of the right kind. Fats are of two types – saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats are present in dairy and meat. Plant-based oils contain unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are better than saturated fats. These fats need to be consumed in moderation to prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
We can prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries through food and exercise. The solutions to this lie with us.
To learn more about nutrition facts, you can check this book here.