A high level of cholesterol, specifically low density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered a major contributor to the development of atherosclerosis. High cholesterol is a primary cause of heart disease and is implicated in gallstones, impotence and high blood pressure. LDL is a transporter of cholesterol in the bloodstream and it promotes the deposition of cholesterol in arteries (i.e. bad cholesterol). In contrast, high density lipoprotein (HDL) carries excess cholesterol back toward the liver (i.e. good cholesterol). Atherosclerotic plaques form when there is too much cholesterol for the HDLs to handle or there is insufficient HDLs to transport cholesterol. The lower a person’s HDL the higher their chance of developing heart disease.
Who to consult: Dietician, GP, herbalist, homoeopath, naturopath, pharmacist.
