how to differentiate the good from the bad?

One in five people in France have too much cholesterol in their blood. Men would be more concerned than women. Hypercholesterolemia is a threat to cardiovascular health and would cause one out of every two heart attacks according to the French Federation of Cardiology. This lipid may be present in different forms in the body, so it is common to hear about "good" or "bad" cholesterol. But what does this distinction mean?

The role of lipoproteins

Cholesterol is part of fat because it is a fat. In the body, it is present in nerve cells and in the brain, and helps in the manufacture of cell membranes. The liver produces 75% of the cholesterol, the rest is provided by the diet.

To circulate in the blood, cholesterol binds to proteins. They are responsible for the distinction between "good" and "bad" cholesterol: it can be transported by low density lipoproteins ("LDL") or by high density lipoproteins ("HDL"). "). The former are synonymous with bad cholesterol. They transport it from the liver to the cells, but sometimes a part escapes and settles on the arteries and vessels, causing atherosclerosis which can cause the appearance of blood clots. HDL lipoprotein transports excess cholesterol to the liver for recycling, which is why HDL cholesterol has a protective effect against cardiovascular disease.

These findings are not fixed in time, a study published in the journal Science in 2016 reveals that the "good" cholesterol, HDL, can turn into bad cholesterol because of a mutation of the gene SCARB1. In individuals, HDL cholesterol is higher than the average for the population, but the liver cells can not absorb it because of the genetic mutation.

How to avoid bad cholesterol?

To avoid too high a level of bad cholesterol in the blood, it is necessary to focus on vegetable fats and reduce its consumption of animal protein (dairy products, meat, sausages, eggs, etc.). Regular physical activity also helps protect the body.

However, some people are naturally more at risk: people with diabetes, those with hypothyroid, liver disease, etc. Taking acne medications or birth control pills can also increase your risk. Hypercholesterolemia is also related to family factors, and can be inherited. To reduce the rate of "bad" cholesterol in the blood, a change in diet is the first step. According to the French Federation of Cardiology, this would reduce cholesterol by 15%.