What Actually Causes High Cholesterol? | Dr. Robert Lustig

Levels Advisor Robert Lustig, MD, explains the different types of cholesterol and what drives cardiovascular disease.

Cholesterol is necessary for the body. In fact, our bodies have a method for manufacturing it. But cholesterol gets a bad rap because of confusion about the types—and which type actually drives cardiovascular disease.

Understanding the different types of cholesterol can help you tailor your diet and lifestyle habits for better metabolic health. Keep in mind that the pattern of all types of cholesterol taken together, rather than individual levels, matters the most.

Types of cholesterol

– high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: “good” cholesterol
– low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol—two types: large buoyant (lbLDL) and small dense (sdLDL)
– very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL): represented as triglycerides

Understanding the types of LDL:

– lbLDL: neutral when it comes to cardiovascular health and is elevated via fat consumption
– sdLDL: drives atherosclerosis and is elevated via sugar consumption

✅ What you can do:

– Reduce sugar consumption to minimize sdLDL.
– Get regular exercise to elevate HDL.

#metabolichealth #cholesterol #fat #sugar

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