LDL value too high – what does that mean?

LDL is the so-called “bad cholesterol“. It ensures that various fat-soluble substances are transferred from the liver to all other tissues of the body. A too high LDL value is particularly feared because it increases the risk of coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis (calcification of the vessels).

The cholesterol, which is transported into the vessels with the LDL particles, can adhere to the vessel walls. There it is absorbed by the macrophages (so to speak scavenger cells). These thus form foam cells, which are located on the vessel walls and offer more and more space for new cholesterol.

From the foam cells, so-called plaques develop, which are attached to the vascular cells and represent small centres of inflammation there. The inflammation also attracts new cells, which also adhere there. Through the accumulation of more and more cell material, the vessel narrows.

The blood can no longer flow easily and forms small turbulences. The turbulence causes the blood flow to be so slow in some places that blood clots can form. Especially small vessels can become so narrow that not enough blood can flow through them and the organ behind them is not supplied with enough blood. The following articles may also be of interest to you: Atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, nutrition for high cholesterol levels, hypercholesterolemia

LDL value too low – what does that mean?

By definition, there is no such thing as too low an LDL value, instead there is only an upper limit up to which the LDL value is considered normal. Since LDL as “bad cholesterol” mainly contributes to diseases of the cardiovascular system (coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis), a low LDL value is desirable at first. Possible reasons for a very low LDL value can, however, be massive malnutrition.

However, this is almost impossible to achieve in our society. As a consequence of a very low LDL value, it could happen that not enough fat-soluble substances reach their target tissue.Too little transport of vitamin A can have a bad influence on vision. If vitamin K is missing in the corresponding tissue, blood clotting is disturbed. This leads to an increased bleeding tendency. A deficient transport of cholesterol or other fats that are built into cell membranes can lead to damage of the cell membrane and thus to the death of the cells.