Oil, Water, and Your Brain

No doubt you've heard a natural law stated as, "Oil and water do not mix." In the body, blood is watery while cholesterol is oily. And the two don't mix, either. Cholesterol travels through the blood in little packages known as lipoproteins. Two types of lipoproteins are Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). LDL tends to lead toward the buildup of cholesterol in your arteries, which increases your risk of heart disease. No surprise, it can increase your risk for brain problems such as strokes, too. For that reason LDL is sometimes called the bad type of cholesterol. HDL, on the other hand is often referred to as the good type. It helps carry cholesterol to your liver, which removes it from your body. The higher your blood level of HDL, the lower your risk of developing heart disease. Interestingly enough, what is good for your heart is good for your brain and immune system, as well. There are strategies to help you achieve a healthier ratio of HDL to LDL. That’s for tomorrow.