LDL vs HDL Cholesterol: What's the Difference?

Most people assume that high cholesterol levels will increase their risk of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 600,000 adults die from it each year. There are different types of cholesterol, however, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

What Is LDL Cholesterol?

LDL cholesterol is the main type of cholesterol found in the human body. It's dubbed the "bad" cholesterol because of its ability to restrict blood flow.

LDL cholesterol will build up on the walls of the arteries and blood vessels. When left unchecked, it will restrict blood flow through your body. Restricted blood flow can then lead to other problems like high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

What Is HDL Cholesterol? 

HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, is dubbed the "good" cholesterol. Studies have shown that people with low levels of LDL cholesterol and high levels of HDL cholesterol are less likely to develop heart disease than their counterparts.

How does HDL cholesterol protect against heart disease exactly? HDL cholesterol doesn't stick to the walls of the arteries and blood vessels like LDL cholesterol. Instead, it helps to flush out LDL cholesterol -- the bad type of cholesterol. Consuming foods rich in HDL cholesterol will promote lower levels of LDL cholesterol in your body.

Differences Between LDL and HDL Cholesterol

There's LDL cholesterol, and there's HDL cholesterol. The former type is potentially harmful because it restricts blood flow. HDL cholesterol, in comparison, absorbs and removes HDL cholesterol.

If you're trying to lower your risk of heart disease, you should consume fewer LDL cholesterol-rich foods in your diet and more HDL cholesterol-rich foods. Foods that contain a lot of LDL cholesterol include red meat, dairy and fried foods. Foods that contain a lot of HDL cholesterol include nuts, olive oil, fish (particularly fatty fish like salmon) and berries.

Cholesterol is often referred to as a bad substance that's harmful to your health. As revealed here, though, not all cholesterol is bad. LDL cholesterol is bad, whereas HDL cholesterol is good.

You can get your cholesterol levels checked by a physician. There are cholesterol tests available that will reveal both your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. By getting one of these tests performed, you'll know exactly how much LDL and HDL cholesterol is in your blood.