LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) contains 75 % of circulating cholesterol and supplies the cells with this building block. If they can no longer absorb cholesterol, the LDL circulates in the blood with its cholesterol load. As a result, cholesterol can build up on the inner walls of the blood vessels. For this reason, LDL is also known as the bad cholesterol.
The LDL-HDL ratio provides information as an arteriosclerosis risk index: If it is less than two, the risk of arteriosclerosis is low. If the quotient is above four, there is a high risk of arteriosclerotic vascular damage and secondary diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD).
Cholesterol levels can usually be reduced through lifestyle changes. In addition to maintaining a healthy body weight, it is worth paying attention to a balanced and healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and consciously consuming fewer animal-based foods. Furthermore, exercise and the avoidance of nicotine cause total cholesterol levels to fall and the ratio of LDL to HDL to improve.
