“Lipids”, also known as cholesterol, is the general term used for the different types of fatty molecules in the blood. These fatty molecules have a range of purposes in the body, but when they fall outside of the ideal range, this can lead to many health problems. Abnormal lipid values are associated with conditions like metabolic syndrome, plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. The most common labs in a lipid panel include total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.
Your total cholesterol measures all the cholesterol present in the blood stream; cholesterol is one of the most used lipids in the body. It is used in creating all our steroid hormones including our sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone), adrenal hormones like cortisol as well as others, and Vitamin D. In the liver it is used as an important base for creating bile, which is used in the breakdown and absorption of fats. All the cells in our body also use cholesterol in the formation of their outer membranes. Cholesterol is produced in the liver and adipose tissue (fat cells) as well as absorbed from the diet. The production of cholesterol is stopped when the body’s insulin level is low as well as when blood cholesterol levels are high. For most lab reference ranges, the ideal value is <200 mg/dL. On its own, cholesterol is not a bad component to have in the blood, but when it is above the ideal value it can lead to fat deposits in visceral tissue (our organs) and the blood stream.
LDL stands for “low density lipoprotein.” It is often coined as “the bad lipid,” which can be quite deceiving to its purpose. LDL is used to transport cholesterol from the liver to all the tissues in the body. In its course to the peripheral tissues, it often leads to deposits of cholesterol along the blood vessels. High amounts of LDL are a sign that there is a lot of movement of cholesterol and you are at a higher risk for atherosclerosis (as well as the other conditions listed above). We like to see this value <100 mg/dL.
On the other side of the coin, HDL (high density lipoprotein) is often called “the good lipid.” It takes cholesterol from the peripheral tissues of the body and brings it back to the liver to be converted into bile and excreted. It is considered good because high levels of this lipid are considered protective against cardiovascular events. Most lab reference ranges consider >40 mg/dL beneficial, but I like to see this value higher—there is research supporting >50 mg/dL as protective.
The last lipid to cover is triglycerides. These lipids are used as a sign of your carbohydrate intake, unlike the other values which are linked more to fat intake. There are many sources of triglycerides in our diet (most commonly, saturated fats), but it is also synthesized in the body. They are formed when there are high levels of carbohydrates (typically from refined grains, starchy foods, added sugar, and alcohol) in the blood. Triglycerides are created as a way for the body to store excess glucose. This is a protective process that the body uses for storing energy during times of fasting, but when we are eating too many carbohydrates or dietary sources of triglycerides, it can lead to atherosclerosis as well as obesity and/or metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of physical exam and lab findings that is associated with an increased risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more. A level of <150 mg/dL is the ideal for most lab references for triglycerides, but I like to see this value <110 mg/dL.
The best prevention you can do for abnormal lipid values is increasing your movement (exercise uses more stored energy) and adjusting your decrease simple carbohydrate intake—lowering saturated fat intake can help as well, but it is useful to still include in small amounts. For more detailed information on what interventions you can use, schedule a visit with me and look out for my next blog post on herbal recommendations, lifestyle changes, nutrition, and supplements for abnormal lipids.
Dr. Anna-Maria DeCarolis, NMD
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