Cholesterol can be a complicated subject and many people admit they don’t fully understand it.
Most people have been taught that cholesterol is bad. And for a while, it was believed that dietary cholesterol, the cholesterol in food, had a major impact on blood cholesterol levels. However, Healthline reports that new science suggests that this is not the case for most people. Is it any wonder that cholesterol is still a mystery to so many?

What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that occurs naturally in the body. Although cholesterol is commonly believed to be harmful, it is actually necessary for the body to function. According to Healthline, the body needs it to produce hormones and vitamin D and contributes to the membrane structure of every cell in the body.

What are lipoproteins?
When people talk about heart health and cholesterol, they’re actually talking about lipoproteins, not cholesterol itself. Lipoproteins are structures that transport cholesterol through the blood. There are two main types of lipoproteins: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is generally referred to as the “good” cholesterol because it carries excess cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver, where it’s flushed out, says the Cleveland Clinic. LDL is the “bad” cholesterol because in excessive amounts, it contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries. You need some LDL to transport cholesterol to the body’s cells, but too much of it can be problematic. HDL transports some LDL out of the arteries, but other steps are needed to lower HDL. Another lipid in the blood is triglyceride, a type of fat. High triglyceride levels can also increase the risk of heart problems, including atherosclerosis, a hardening of the blood vessels.

Dietary cholesterol vs. blood cholesterol
The amount of cholesterol in the blood and the amount in the diet are two different things. Usually, eating foods that contain cholesterol doesn’t directly lead to increased blood cholesterol. Blood cholesterol levels are determined primarily by the amount of fats and carbohydrates in the diet, as well as genetics. Some people are simply genetically predisposed to high cholesterol. Even in people whose blood cholesterol is affected by dietary cholesterol (hyperresponders), research shows that dietary cholesterol only modestly increases LDL levels and in these cases doesn’t appear to increase the risk of heart disease, according to Healthline.

How to maintain healthy cholesterol levels?
According to Piedmont Healthcare, there are ways to control cholesterol and lipoproteins in a way that benefits the body.

• Choose foods that are lower in saturated fat and watch out for foods that can affect blood sugar levels.
• Quit smoking
• Reduce your stress levels. This may help you avoid eating high-fat foods as a coping mechanism.
• Exercise regularly
• Weight loss can both increase HDL and lower LDL
• Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products and lean meat
• Include more fiber in your diet. This will help break down excess LDL.

There is a lot of public confusion about cholesterol, but understanding the basics of cholesterol can help you make more informed decisions about your diet and overall health.