About... HDL Cholesterol
High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a "lipid" or a fat-like, waxy substance in the blood that is vital for healthy cell membranes and brain tissues. It helps your body use fats and aids in digestion and in the production of hormones.

Cholesterol is manufactured by the human body; the liver produces about 1,000 milligrams of it per day. Most of us consume about 150-250 milligrams of cholesterol from food. However the more fat we eat, the more cholesterol the liver will produce.

Once produced, cholesterol is distributed throughout the body by the bloodstream. To be transported, it combines with certain proteins which act like vehicles, picking up the cholesterol in the liver and transporting it to different parts of the body. When this happens, cholesterol and protein form a lipoprotein. The two most important types of lipoproteins are high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Most cholesterol is LDL (commonly known as the "bad" cholesterol), while between one-quarter to one-third is HDL (the "good" type). HDL cholesterol carries unused cholesterol back to the liver. However, if too much LDL is carried away from the liver and there is not enough HDL to bring back the excess, the LDL will stick to the linings of the arteries. The accumulation of cholesterol is the primary component of "plaques" that line the artery walls.

The HDL removes and carries the LDL from the wall of the artery and excretes it through the liver, reducing the individual's risk for heart and vascular disease.

Regular, moderate aerobic exercise can raise HDL levels, as can weight loss and eating a diet low in trans-fatty acids (which means avoiding fried foods and many fast foods), and a low-cholesterol diet may also help. Certain foods may raise HDL cholesterol (see sidebar). Stopping smoking also helps. Since most people think only about lowering their LDL cholesterol levels, they should also be made aware that it is equally important to have high HDL cholesterol levels.

Current HDL Guidelines
HDL cholesterol should be above 40mg/dl in men and above 50mg/dl in women.

"Good" cholesterol foods to eat are beans, fish, flaxseed, nuts, oat bran, and olive oil, as well as soy products and foods high in soluble fiber. Additionally, red wines (such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon) and orange juice may help. Some physicians feel that any wine in small amounts may help. Cholesterol-lowering drugs may raise your HDL cholesterol and should be discussed with your health-care provider.