Ask The Nutritionist

The Facts Behind "Good" Cholesterol

Q. Dear Lory, RD
My husband and I recently had our yearly physical exams. Our cholesterol and triglyceride levels were high. My doctor also informed me that my “good” cholesterol was low. I did not even know there was such a thing as “good” cholesterol.
The doctor wants us to meet with a registered dietitian first before he puts us on a cholesterol lowering medication.
My question is two part, what should our numbers be, and what can a dietitian do to help us achieve this?

Tammy,
Las Vegas, NV

A. Dear Tammy,
First of all, let me address the “good” cholesterol, because many of my patients have not heard about this. The good cholesterol is called HDL, or high density lipoprotein. It is referred to as “good” cholesterol because its job is to pick up the dietary cholesterol you consume in your diet and package it for excretion. If cholesterol is excreted, it does not remain in your bloodstream and deposit on your arteries. Once the cholesterol begins to deposit on your arteries, you are at risk for occlusion or blockage, which inevitably leads to heart damage. The way to boost your HDL level is through proper nutrition and exercise. This is where the dietitian’s job begins.

Next, you wanted to know what your numbers should be. According to the American Heart Association Guidelines:

Finally your last question was, “What can a dietitian do to help us achieve healthier blood cholesterol levels”?  First of all you want to look at the alternative treatment. If you do not modify your diet, your physician will recommend cholesterol lowering medication. Most cholesterol lowering medications do not distinguish between good and bad cholesterol, they just work to lower the Total cholesterol levels. So, you lose the benefits of the HDL cholesterol.

On the other hand, meeting with a registered dietitian would allow you to modify your current eating habits to reduce your cholesterol and saturated fat intake. Changing your lifestyle to incorporate healthy eating and increased activity is the most efficient way to deal with your elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels without harming the beneficial HDL levels.

Sincerely,

Lory, RD

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Lory Hayon, B.S., R.D.
Registered Dietitian & Nutritionist.
Lory@FertilityCenterLV.com