Understanding and memorizing the terms associated with Cholesterol Tests

HDL is sometimes called the Good Cholesterol because it carries away cholesterol from the blood back to the liver. It is an indicator that body is capable to packing up cholesterol and shipping it back to the liver for further processing.

Cholesterol is used for many functions inside the body. It forms part of the cell membrane and nervous system. It is used in hormone production and Vitamin D synthesis. However while moving inside the artery, LDL cholesterol can stick to the inner walls of the artery. White blood cells send to remove it can stick together to form plaque.

LDL is called the bad cholesterol because it is produced by the liver and send all across the body via the blood. It is the LDL that sticks to the inner walls of the artery which is why it gets the bad reputation.

High LDL can result from two reasons, genetics or high fat diet. Specifically if your diet is rich in Saturated Fats, you may have high LDL levels.

So here is the summary.

HDL – high density – body to liver – Good
LDL – low density – liver to body – Bad

Ways to reduce LDL

Replace red meat with white meat like fish.

Remove full fat dairy products from your diet.

Replace butter with olive oil.

Avoid ice creams and baked products.

Be careful with coconut oil in excess quantities.

Include avocadoes in your diet.

The triglycerides connection

While cholesterol is used for building cell membranes and hormones, triglycerides are purely fats for energy. Unused calories from your diet and locked in between the structure for later use. This is done by the liver. Triglycerides are stored in VLDL.

Since it is excess calories and send out by liver, the best way to control them is to limit your eating to just what you need.

Some interesting points about these tests

You need to fast at least 12 hours before the test. If the test is going to be performed in the morning, you need to be well hydrated the day prior.

If you have consumed alcohol, that will show up in blood test as increased Uric Acid. You need to give at least two days gap plus one day of fasting for the correct results to show.

Alcohol causes the kidneys to re absorb uric acid back in the body rather than removing it. Alcohol also accelerates the production of purines that cause uric acid in the body.

Your last meal before the 12 hour fast cannot be a diet rich in saturated and unsaturated fats. Avoid fried items, red meats and sugary desserts. Curd, salads, vegetables, dals, beans, etc should keep those values under check.

While sleeping during the night, your body naturally can get in a dehydrated state. So if you go for the test without drinking enough water, there will be elevated uric acid levels in your blood. Give enough time for your blood to clean with water intake.

Rather than a meal, consume water in the evening.