Maintain Lipoproteins in Your Blood for a Healthy Living


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Lipoproteins are molecules that consists proteins and fat. Lipoprotein can transport cholesterol through the blood. Lipoproteins circulate in the blood and contain cholesterol, fat and protein in varying levels according to the need of your body.

How can you classify lipoproteins?

There are five classifications of lipoproteins. The good lipoprotein refers to High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) and bad lipoprotein refers to Low Density Lipoproteins, called as LDL. Lipoproteins differ in their level of proteins and lipids. High Density Lipoproteins, Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL), Intermediate Density Lipoproteins (IDL), Chylomicrons, Low Density Lipoproteins and Lipoprotein (a) are the main kind of the lipoproteins.

What are the risk factors of lipoprotein?

Atherosclerosis, heart attack, angina, stroke, aneurysm are some of the risk factors. Abnormalities in the levels of lipoproteins can cause the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is hardening of the arteries which can lead to heart attack, angina and stroke. Lipoprotein (a) is similar to low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Both are rich in cholesterol and their higher level can cause atherosclerosis. A blood test can help to find out lipoprotein-a, and its risks for heart problems.

Blood accumulating under the skin (hematoma), fainting and excessive bleeding are some of the other risk factors apart from heart disorders. Atherosclerosis can harden the arteries; make cholesterol deposition and blockage in the arteries. Smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure can also be risk factors of the atherosclerosis.

What are the recommended levels of lipoproteins in blood?

The desirable total cholesterol level is- minimum 200 mg/dl and the maximum should be 240 mg/dl. But the patients with atherosclerotic disease should maintain around 200 mg/dl. A minimum level of triglecerides is 200 mg/dl and the maximum level is 400 mg/dl. Minimum level of Low density lipoproteins (LDL) is 130 mg/dl and the maximum level is 160 mg/dl. But for the atherosclerotic patients 100 mg/dl is recommended. Less than 35 mg/dl of HDL cholesterol level is considered to be low. The average level of HDL cholesterol is 45 mg/dl to 55 mg/dl. The higher level of HDL cholesterol can cause atherosclerotic disease. However, low cholesterol levels of triglycerides, LDL and HDL will increase the risk of atherosclerotic disease.

How are lipoproteins levels managed?

Low density lipoproteins

If the LDL cholesterol is higher than desirable level, that can be reduced by eating low fat diet. Weight loss and the intake of soluble fiber such as oatmeal, beans and psyllium products can also help. Drug treatment is needed if you have very high LDL cholesterol levels with risk factors of atherosclerotic disorder.

High density lipoproteins (HDL)

Low HDL cholesterol should be raised by exercise. If you are having the habit of smoking, then by quitting your smoking, you can improve HDL level. Medications are rarely used in the treatment of low HDL.

Triglyceride

High triglyceride levels can be controlled by weight loss, reducing alcohol intake and minimizing estrogen-containing pills. If you are a diabetic patient, control of diabetes can help. You can use medications for very high triglyceride levels.

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