The difference between cholesterol and triglycerides & bull; hello healthy

The difference in cholesterol and triglycerides

Cholesterol and triglycerides are the two most common fatty substances found in the body. Before understanding the difference between cholesterol and triglycerides, you need to know the benefits that these two fatty substances provide to the body.

Yes, the presence of cholesterol and triglycerides is not harmful to the body, as long as the amount is not excessive. Both are fatty substances that are formed from fatty foods that you consume every day.

All types of fat that enter the body, both saturated and unsaturated fats, will be broken down into fatty acids. Then, all these fatty acids will be used as needed. The body will also convert fatty acids into cholesterol and triglycerides when needed. Then what is the difference between cholesterol and triglycerides?

Both types of fatty substances are needed by the body, but for different functions. Even so, if the amount of both of them is too much in the body, it can cause various health problems. Starting from heart disease, stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and various other degenerative diseases.

Differences in the function of triglycerides and cholesterol in the body

Triglycerides have a function as reserve energy that will be used by the body if the main energy source, namely glucose, in the body has been used up. Therefore, triglycerides are stored in fat cells called adipose cells.

These cells gather to make a network which is also known as adipose tissue. This tissue is spread in various parts of the body, such as under the surface of the skin and among other body organs.

Unlike triglycerides, cholesterol is produced by fat metabolism and is needed by the body to build tissues and cells, form various hormones, and play a role in the digestive system.

In the blood, cholesterol cannot dissolve, so cholesterol combines with proteins and forms lipoproteins. In addition, there are two types of cholesterol in the body that have their own uses, namely good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL).

HDL functions to carry and clean cholesterol from various organs, including blood vessels, back to the liver. Meanwhile, LDL functions to carry cholesterol from the liver to various organs.

LDL becomes bad if the amount is too high in the body, resulting in fat depositing in the blood vessels and causing high cholesterol levels.

The difference between cholesterol and triglyceride-forming substances

The difference between cholesterol and triglycerides can also be seen from the substances they contain. Although cholesterol and triglycerides are both formed from fat, there are still differences that can be found from the two fatty substances, one of which is the constituent substance.

Cholesterol is formed from saturated fat that you get from the food you eat. That way, the more saturated fat sources in your daily intake, the more cholesterol the body will produce.

Not only that, cholesterol is also produced naturally in the liver (liver). Therefore, in order to keep cholesterol normal in the body, you must be able to limit the intake of saturated fat and trans fat that you consume.

Meanwhile, unlike cholesterol, triglycerides are the body's energy reserves that can be produced from fatty foods and carbohydrate sources. This means that triglycerides can be formed from a variety of foods that contain calories.

When the fuel to form energy in the body has been fulfilled, the remaining glucose and protein that are still in the blood will be converted into triglycerides and then stored into energy reserves.

The difference between the normal limit of cholesterol and triglycerides

The difference between cholesterol and triglycerides is also in the normal range of the two substances in the blood. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the normal limits for LDL levels in the body are as follows.

LDL levels in the blood are considered optimal if they are below 100 mg / dL.
Considered close to optimal if it is at 100-129 mg / dL.
It is still classified as safe but is close to high cholesterol if it is at 130-159 mg / dL.
Classified as high when it reaches 160-189 mg / dL.
Including very high if it is at 190 mg / dL or more.

Meanwhile, the normal limits for HDL cholesterol are as follows.

HDL levels are considered low if they are below 40 mg / dL.
Classified as good if it is at 60 mg / dL or more.

Yes, the normal limits for LDL and HDL are different. The higher the LDL level in the body, the higher your risk of experiencing various heart health problems as complications of cholesterol. Meanwhile, the higher the HDL level in the body, the better cholesterol levels and your heart health.

Unlike the normal limit of good and bad cholesterol, the normal limit of triglycerides is determined by different numbers, as follows.

Triglycerides are considered normal when they are below 150 mg / dL.
Approaching the high triglyceride limit if it is at 150-199 mg / dL.
Classified as high if it reaches 200-499 mg / dL.
Including very high when the number has reached 500 mg / dL or more.

You must pay attention to the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood so as not to cause chronic disease. The normal limit of triglycerides in the body is less than 150 mg / dl. Meanwhile, here are the normal limits of cholesterol:

Normal if the total cholesterol is less than 200 mg / dl.
You must be vigilant if the amount of cholesterol is between 200-239 mg / dl.
Including high if cholesterol levels have reached 240 mg / dl and more than that.

The difference between normal limits for cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood must still be one of your concerns if you want to keep your overall cholesterol levels at safe limits. You can have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked regularly, for example once a year.