Often I receive questions about cholesterol and triglycerides. What is the difference? What is the significance of high triglyceride levels? Or anything different from LDL, HDL or VLDL?
The Basics
In the blood there are only three basic types of fat, namely cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. Because of the nature of fat that cannot be dissolved in water (while our blood consists of water as a main component), then the third form of fat must be mixed with solvents to be circulating in the blood. The substance is a type of protein called Apo protein (abbreviated Apo). Fatty compounds (a combination of 3 types of fat above) are joined to form Apo lipoprotein (LP). So LP is a cholesterol + triglycerides + phospholipids + Apo.
Lipoprotein (LP) differs in size, density, composition and fat composition of Apo. The difference is made there is some kind of LP that is HDL, LDL, IDL, VLDL, chylomicrons. So it should be understood that the term HDL or LDL, etc. It is a combined form of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and proteins
What is the difference of each of the LP?
That is not too confusing, here I will only discuss the HDL, LDL, VLDL. HDL (high density lipoprotein) is a form of LP that has the least cholesterol components. Formed in the intestine and liver, HDL will absorb free cholesterol from the blood vessels, or other body parts such as macrophage cells, and then took it to heart, this is what makes the good cholesterol called HDL (although this term is not right after we understand what it is LP) .
VLDL (very low density LP) is an LP which was formed in the liver which will then be converted in the blood vessels into LDL (low density LP). This LP has the component form of cholesterol the most and will carry cholesterol to the tissues such as blood vessel walls.
What does it mean and what the risks?
If levels of cholesterol in blood vessels is high, this will make the diameter of blood vessels become narrow, (analogy with the water hose inside the walls covered with moss, then the water will not flow smoothly). In severe circumstances where there is total blockage of blood vessels there will be damage to organs, for example when the coronary vessels are closed, then there is a heart attack, or when the blood vessels of the brain that is closed will be a stroke.
HDL cholesterol will bring free of blood vessels to the liver so that the diameter of the vessels will dilate, whereas when high levels of VLDL and LDL otherwise it will happen that will aggravate the constriction of blood vessels.
What about triglycerides?
As already explained, that triglyceride (TG) is one form of three basic human fats. Unlike cholesterol stored in the liver tissue or blood vessel walls, TG will be stored in fat cells under the skin (which makes the six pack abs is extremely difficult to obtain). What does it mean when high TG levels? Is dangerous?. High TG levels would alter the metabolism of VLDL into a form of large VLDL. This form of L-VLDL would be very easy to oxidized LDL and HDL damage that will ultimately aggravate the cholesterol content of the blood vessels.
How many levels of good laboratory?
Total cholesterol: <200, optimal: 200-239, desired: > 240: High.
LDL: <100, optimal: 100-129, near optimal: > 130: High.
HDL: > 40 /> 50: optimal (male / female), Triglycerides <150: optimal, 150-200: near optimal > 200: High
So now you understand what cholesterol and triglycerides, then how to control the levels? Wait for the answer in the next article.