There Is No Bad or Good Cholesterol

Learn the truth about cholesterol and the roles of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) with Dr Gina Pritchard. Discover how LDL functions in the body and the factors that can transform it into oxidized LDL, leading to plaque buildup in arteries. This video covers various contributors to LDL oxidation such as poor breathing, bad oral bacteria, insulin problems, low protein intake, harmful food choices, and mental health. Understand the difference between natural and artificial trans fats to make healthier choices. Share this vital information on how to prevent heart attacks and strokes with the right knowledge and tests.

0:00 There Is No Bad or Good Cholesterol
00:12 Understanding LDL: The Basics
00:23 The Role of LDL in the Body
01:20 Factors Affecting LDL
02:24 Impact of Diet and Lifestyle on LDL
03:27 Natural vs. Artificial Fats

Hey there! I'm Dr Gina Pritchard. Today, let's talk about something called cholesterol. You might've heard people say good and bad cholesterol, but those names aren't quite right. Let's learn more together.
LDL stands for low density lipoprotein. It's not really cholesterol. It's something called a lipoprotein, which is a type of protein that carries fat around our bodies.

So, what does LDL do? It moves cholesterol and fats to different parts of our body which is super important because we need them for lots of things. In this way, LDL is helpful.

However, LDL can be a problem when it is altered into a form of LDL referred to as oxidized. This can make our immune system react. When LDL is oxidized, we know the immune system is involved. If this happens in an artery, it can cause a buildup called plaque. Plaque can sometimes become unstable and cause damage which is why people think LDL is bad.

So, instead of thinking about good and bad cholesterol, it's more about what LDL does in our bodies. LDL is important for carrying things around, but it can be harmful if it causes plaque to become dangerous.

Now, let's look at what can make LDL change into this form that can cause problems.

First, breathing. Not getting enough oxygen often because of breathing through the mouth or having trouble breathing while sleeping is bad for our health. It can change the balance in our mouth, mess up the good germs, make our heartbeat faster and make our sleep worse.

Second, bad germs in the mouth. Bacteria such as Pg, Aa, Td, Tf, Fn can get into our blood and cause damage to the lining of the artery and contribute to plaque.

Third, problems with insulin, which helps control sugar in our blood, can cause health issues like prediabetes and diabetes. This happens because of bad breathing, bad germs in the mouth, and eating too many sugary and processed foods.

Fourth, not eating enough protein and having too little muscle is a problem. Our body composition is muscle, fat, water, bone, and more. It's not just about how much we weigh, but having more muscle and less fat is important.

Fifth, eating toxic or harmful food and not eating enough nutritious food can hurt us by leading to oxidized LDL and plaque.

Sixth, our feelings and thoughts or emotional and mental health are important too. Being sad, worried, stressed, or alone can hurt our heart. A big study called the Interheart study found that mental and emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, isolation, and feeling controlled are in the top three reasons why people have heart attacks.

Lastly, eating unhealthy trans fats can also hurt our heart. Some examples are canola oil, rapeseed oil, vegetable oil, soybean oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, flax oil, margarine, corn oil, oleo, any seed oil except olive oil and avocado oil.

Trans fats are in a lot of the food we eat every day. This includes deep fried foods, heavily processed foods, store bought baked goods, and packaged snacks like crackers, chips, and popcorn.

But what about animal foods like red meat and dairy? The fats in meat are natural and not harmful. So, you don't need to worry about the fats in your steak or full fat dairy products.

The trans fats we should be concerned about are the ones made by people. These are found in processed foods. These artificial trans fats are bad for us and can make our health worse by affecting our LDL.

Understanding the difference between natural fats and artificial trans fats is important for making healthier choices.

Remember, knowing about LDL, a lipoprotein, and how it affects our health is important. It isn't just good or bad. It's about whether it's changed or oxidized.

When LDL is oxidized, it can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, which can cause heart problems.

If you found this helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Heart attacks and strokes can be prevented when you have the right knowledge and get proper tests. Thanks for watching.

For more information, visit https://skipyournextheartattack.com