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Hello, everyone.

I am Yoko Maeda, the supervising physician at BIANCA Aesthetic Medicine.

 

 

This time, I'll be answering questions submitted via Instagram!

The question I received was: "There's good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, but is bad cholesterol really bad?"

 

Cholesterol is a type of lipid stored in our bodies.

 

Certainly, the term "bad cholesterol" reinforces negative perceptions, but cholesterol itself is essential for our bodies.

 

What is bad cholesterol?

 

There are two types of cholesterol: HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is known as good cholesterol, while LDL cholesterol is known as bad cholesterol.

 

The role of cholesterol is

 

 

Cholesterol is a substance necessary for making hormones and cell membranes. LDL cholesterol is responsible for transporting cholesterol produced in the liver to where it is needed in the body.

 

LDL cholesterol, often made out to be the villain, isn't actually doing anything wrong.

 

LDL cholesterol is called "bad cholesterol" because excessive levels can cause atherosclerosis, potentially leading to heart attacks and strokes. Conversely, HDL cholesterol, which helps prevent atherosclerosis, is sometimes referred to as "good cholesterol."

 

However, some individuals develop myocardial infarction even with low LDL cholesterol levels, and high LDL cholesterol does not necessarily pose a risk. Recent research suggests that the quality of LDL cholesterol matters as much as its quantity.

 

What you really need to watch out for is oxidized LDL cholesterol!

 

In fact, it is said that it is not LDL cholesterol, but oxidized LDL cholesterol that is deeply involved in the onset of atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL cholesterol refers to LDL cholesterol that has undergone oxidative modification due to oxidative stress.

 

Most cholesterol is produced within the body, but it cannot be broken down there. Oxidized LDL cholesterol tends to clump together and stick to blood vessel walls. Furthermore, when oxidized LDL cholesterol is recognized as a foreign substance, macrophages—a type of white blood cell—are activated to eliminate it. However, if there is too much oxidized LDL cholesterol, the macrophages can rupture. When the remains of these macrophages are left in the blood vessels, they further narrow the vessels, making it easier for atherosclerosis to develop.

 

This is why oxidized LDL cholesterol is called "bad cholesterol."

 

How can LDL cholesterol be prevented from oxidizing?

 

To prevent LDL cholesterol from causing harm, it is important to prevent oxidation. Nutrients with expected antioxidant effects include the following:

 

 

Vitamin C is water-soluble and sensitive to heat, so it's best to eat it raw whenever possible.

Actively incorporating these nutrients into your diet helps prevent LDL cholesterol oxidation. For nutrients that are difficult to obtain through food alone, consider using supplements as well.

 

In addition to consuming nutrients through a balanced diet, it is also important to maintain a regular lifestyle, including moderate exercise habits and sufficient sleep. Furthermore, smoking is known to produce large amounts of reactive oxygen species, which cause oxidized LDL cholesterol. Since it also contains components that destroy vitamins, it is advisable to quit smoking to reduce risks.

 

Building a healthy body is a crucial element of anti-aging care. We offer recommendations for supplements and suitable approaches from an aesthetic medicine perspective, so please feel free to come in for a consultation.