Cholesterol - The Good, The Bad & The Sticky

Cholesterol isn’t “good” or “bad” by itself — it’s a building block your body needs for cell membranes, hormones, and vitamin D. The real story is how it’s packaged and transported in your blood:

LDL particles carry cholesterol out to your tissues.
HDL particles carry cholesterol back to the liver for recycling.
When too many LDL particles circulate, especially small or damaged ones, they can slip into artery walls and start plaque buildup.

Think of LDL as delivery trucks and HDL as garbage trucks. If you have too many deliveries and not enough pickups, you get a pile-up.

What helps:

Exercise and building muscle improve the ratio and quality of these particles.
Eating whole-food fats (olive oil, nuts, omega-3 fish) builds healthier particles.
Soluble fiber (beans, oats, psyllium) helps pull excess cholesterol out through your gut.
Stable blood sugar and low inflammation protect LDL from getting oxidized and sticky.

Bottom line: it’s not just about “high” or “low” cholesterol — it’s about healthy transport and less damage so your blood vessels stay smooth and clear.

But what about triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the main form of fat your body makes from extra calories. After you eat, especially sugary or refined carbs, your liver packages the excess energy into triglycerides and sends them into your bloodstream for storage in fat tissue. Having some is normal; having too many is a sign your body is overloaded or not processing fuel well.

Why High Triglycerides Matter

They often travel with small, dense LDL particles that can more easily enter artery walls.
High triglycerides usually come with low HDL (“the clean-up crew”), which signals insulin resistance or metabolic stress.
Elevated triglycerides raise your risk of cardiovascular disease and fatty liver.

How to Improve It

Cut back on refined carbs and added sugars — less extra fuel to store as triglycerides.
Move your body daily — exercise burns stored fat and raises HDL.
Build muscle — more muscle means better fat and glucose handling.
Eat whole-food fats like olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocados, and omega-3-rich fish to improve lipid profiles.

Bottom line: Triglycerides are your body’s “fuel storage number.” Keeping them lower — especially in a good balance with HDL — is one of the simplest ways to know your metabolism and arteries are in good shape.