Everyone has heard about what cholesterol can do to the system. It builds up in the artery walls and could eventually lead to cardiovascular failures such as heart attack or stroke. It’s also common knowledge that there are also good cholesterol that aid in minimizing the effects of bad cholesterol.

When bad cholesterol, also known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is abnormally high, the chances of fat building up along the arterial walls increase. This results to hard and narrow heart blood vessels that impede the flow of red blood cells. This is where the good cholesterol, or HDL (high-density lipoprotein), comes in. HDL helps carry the thick deposits of fat build up away from the arteries.

It is not enough to keep bad cholesterol levels low, which is what most of us are trying to achieve through diet. Aside from this, it is equally important to maintain a high level of good cholesterol.

However, in the Philippines, there is much cause to be alarmed with the low level HDL than the high level of LDL. A survey done by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute under the Department of Science and Technology in 2008 shows that 64 percent of Filipinos suffer from low HDL.

“If the level of HDL is low, the risk of having a heart attack is greatly increased,” Says Dr. Philip Barter, Director of the Heart Research Institute in Sydney, Australia.

So, how do we maintain a high level HDL? Unfortunately, there are no special diets that can help increase HDL levels. To achieve the right amount of good cholesterol a combination of balanced diet and healthy lifestyle is needed.

However, for some cases, a healthy lifestyle may not be enough to suffice the production of good cholesterol. The causes of low HDL can be attributed to diabetes and abdominal obesity. But in the Philippines, our genetics has something to do with the prevalent low HDL levels. “The Philippines has an additional problem, even without the lifestyle changes, the HDL is lower and most likely that is a genetic problem. It’s a combination of both, but the genetic problem is greater,” Dr. Barter adds.

The bad news is that the  genetic aspect is permanent. However, the good news is that there already is a treatment developed to increase HDL levels through medication.

As early as 1959, scientists have discovered that Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, has the ability to increase HDL levels. However, Niacin, in its immediate release forms, causes the dilation of blood vessels that causes flushing, a condition that turns the face and often other areas of the skin markedly red.

But with recent developments, Niacin, combined with Laropiprant, makes up an extended release form of the treatment. The combination is called Tredaptive that provides the same results but significantly reduces the severe effects of flushing.

With a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle this breakthrough treatment can significantly lower the cases of heart attack, which at the moment is the leading cause of death among Filipinos.

From a diet point of view, avoidance of high fat meats like sausage and burgers, pastries, and high-sugar food and drinks and taking in more vegetables, fruit, fiber, lean cuts of meat and pork, skinless chicken, and fish significantly helps.

As for living a healthy lifestyle, it’s more of the same tips that doctors or any other health professional would give, stop smoking, maintain a lean body weight and be physically active. These all constitute to a higher level of HDL.

Just like anything else in life, balance is the key in achieving our body’s maximum potential.