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For many years cholesterol was associated with heart disease in most people's minds, and much was made of attempts to reduce its levels. This association was unfortunate as cholesterol is a necessary component of many biochemical processes. In recent years it has been found that there are two types of cholesterol. One, associated with negative health outcomes, contains Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). The other, associated with positive health outcomes, contains High Density Lipoprotein (HDL).

The key distinction concerns the ability of High Density Lipoprotein particles to successfully transport cholesterol to the liver for excretion. Large numbers of large HDL particles are particularly useful for this. This is in contrast to Low Density Lipoprotein which fail to produce this positive outcome, leading to a build up of cholesterol in arteries.

The reason why this is important concerns the old association between raised cholesterol and increases in heart disease. Atheromatous disease in arteries is associated with high levels of small LDL particles, which are considered atherogenic, i.e. prone to causing atherosclerosis. HDL, on the other hand is associated with low levels of atheroma. The upshot being that you should try to raise your HDL cholesterol levels (to levels recommended by your doctor) and lower your LDL cholesterol levels (to levels recommended by your doctor).

Learn more about this author, Darian Peters.
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