Health: What is Good Cholesterol? To avoid heart disease, maintain HDL level in these ways

It is very important to keep it right to stay healthy. If it becomes high, it can cause problems, even if it is low, you will see many problems.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal
Updated : 13 August 2025, 6:13 PM IST
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New Delhi: In today's busy life, we are not able to take proper care of our health. Due to this, the risk of many diseases is also increasing. High cholesterol is also one of them.

It is very important to keep it right to stay healthy. If it becomes high, it can cause problems, even if it is low, you will see many problems.

It is connected to our heart. However, not all cholesterol is harmful for your health. Let us tell you that there are two types of cholesterol in the body. Bad cholesterol i.e. LDL and good cholesterol i.e. HDL. Good cholesterol reduces the risk of heart disease. It removes the extra cholesterol accumulated in our body. Today, in this article, we are going to give you detailed information about good cholesterol i.e. HDL. Let's know -

What is HDL cholesterol?

According to Cleveland Clinic, HDL cholesterol is called good cholesterol. Because its correct level reduces the risk of heart diseases. Its normal level should be 40 to 80 mg/dL in younger men and 50 to 80 mg/dL in women. It can be checked through a normal blood test.

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What does HDL mean?

HDL means High-Density Lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are small elements made of lipids and proteins, which carry cholesterol in the blood to different parts of the body. HDL picks up extra cholesterol from the blood and takes it to the liver, where it breaks down and is excreted through the stool.

Why is it called good cholesterol?
The upper normal level of HDL is considered good for heart health. It works to remove extra cholesterol deposited in the blood. Apart from this, it reduces inflammation and also prevents the formation of blood clots.

Normal and abnormal levels of good cholesterol

Low HDL in men: less than 40 mg/dL

Low HDL in women: less than 50 mg/dL

Normal HDL: Men- 40 to 80 mg/dL, Women- 50 to 80 mg/dL

High HDL (in all): more than 80 mg/dL

Reasons for low HDL

Obesity

Metabolic syndrome

Excessive smoking

Insulin resistance (problem of sugar control in the body)

Some genetic diseases like familial hyperlipidemia

Effect of some medicines

  • Reasons for high HDL
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Overactive thyroid
  • Genetic changes
  • Side effects of some medicines
  • To increase good cholesterol What to eat?
  • Fish like salmon and mackerel
  • Almonds and walnuts
  • High fibre diet
  • Green vegetables
  • Seasonal fruits

Location : 
  • New Delhi

Published : 
  • 13 August 2025, 6:13 PM IST