Maybe you have come across this term already, and maybe you know what is it, but if you are not, then this page is addressing your need and for you to understand more about low density lipoprotein (LDL).

What is LDL?

Our body has cholesterol which can be generally devided into 3 types or categories. There are HDL, LDL and triglycerides. For this post, we only focus on low density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is also known as bad cholesterol as the higher level of this LDL in your body will be bad for your health as it will increase the risk of heart disease.

By knowing this, many people try to avoid any increase in their level of LDL. However, LDL is needed for crucial job to carry the cholesterol from liver other organs or areas that need new membranes and cells. Therefore, we cannot totally live without it, instead we need to have a normal level of LDL and HDL as well as the index ratio between them has to be good.

However, excess of LDL will increase the risk of causing atherosclerosis which is hardening of blood stream wall. That will in turn increase risk of stroke and heart disease.

LDL Problems

The problem with LDL is, it transports cholesterol into the artery wall, causing it to stick there and when it accumulates it will become plaques causing thickening and hardening of artery wall. Over time, this plaques may rupture. When this happens, it will cause blood clotting thus may trigger stroke, heart attack, or even paralysis.

Recent studies have shown that concentration and size of LDL are significant factors in increasing the atherosclerosis process. When low density lipoprotein becomes oxidized, it will exhibit higher risk for cardiovascular problem. This is due to the oxidized form may stick better on artery wall.

Oxidized form of LDL correlates to the amount of free radicals in the body. Thus it is important to keep free radicals low.

Overcome LDL Problem

To overcome LDL problem, the level of Low Density Lipoprotein must be lowered or reducing the size of the LDL particle. There are pharmaceutical methods as well as dietary method to overcome this LDL problem.

Pharmaceutical method will be using the drugs such as Statins. Statin is an inhibitor that can reduce the LDL particles.

Dietary method involves minimizing the visceral fat in the body normally at the abdomen level. Ketone diet is also good at helping to reduce the LDL, and increase HDL.

Lowering LDL With Antioxidants

LDL in itself does not pose problems or do an harmful effect to the body, however, when they are in the blood stream and oxidized by free radicals, they will turn bad.

By consuming antioxidants and decrease free radicals will reduce LDL harmful effect  thus prevent atherosclerosis. There are reports from studies that green tea has the high antioxidants which help in reducing LDL. Green Tea especially the unfermented  tea leaves have incredible amount of antioxidants which can lower total cholesterol and promote HDL (good cholesterol).

Conclusion

By reducing Low Density Lipoprotein in the blood stream will help in preventing atherosclerosis which can thicken and harden the body’s arteries. Keton diets and green tea are known to be able to provide the antioxidants to prevent LDL from oxidation which will cause harm to the arteries and body in general.