HDL The Good Cholesterol

HDL "High Density Lipoproteins" Wash Away the Bad LDL "Low Density Lipoproteins" Cleansing our Arteries

The Good Cholesterol

High density lipoproteins form a class of lipoproteins, varying somewhat in their size and contents that carry cholesterol from the body's tissues to the liver.

Because High Density Lipoproteins remove cholesterol from atheroma within arteries, and transport it back to the liver for excretion, they are seen as "good" lipoproteins.

When measuring cholesterol, any contained in High Density Lipoprotein particles, serve as protection to the body's cardiovascular health. In contrast to "bad" LDL cholesterol.

The Smallest of The Lipoproteins

High Density Lipoproteins are the smallest of the lipoproteins. They are the densest because they contain the highest proportion of protein. These proteins are called apolipoproteins.

The liver synthesizes these lipoproteins as complexes of apolipoproteins and phospholipid, which resemble empty flattened spherical protein particles. They are capable of picking up cholesterol, carried internally, from cells they interact with.

A plasma enzyme called lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) converts the free cholesterol into cholesterol ester (a more hydrophobic form of cholesterol) which is then sequestered into the core of the lipoprotein particle eventually making the newly synthesized particle spherical.

Larger Particles are Healthier

They increase in size as they circulate through the bloodstream, as they internalize more cholesterol molecules. Thus it is the concentration of large High Density Lipoprotein particles which more accurately reflects protective action, as opposed to the concentration of total HDL particles.

This ratio of large to total particles varies widely and can only be measured by more sophisticated lipoprotein assays using either electrophoresis, the original method developed in the 1970s or newer Nuclear magnetic resonance methods, developed in the 1990s.

Men tend to have noticeably lower levels, with smaller size & lower cholesterol content, than women. Men also have an increased incidence of atherosclerosis atherosclerotic heart disease.

The High Density Lipoproteins protect us Against Heart Disease

Epidemiological studies have shown that high concentrations of HDL (over 60 mg/dL) have protective value against cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction).

Low concentrations (below 40 mg/dL for men, below 50 mg/dL for women) are a positive risk factor for these atherosclerosis diseases.

Guidelines for HDL Levels

The American Heart Association provides a set of guidelines for High Density Lipoprotein levels and the risks for Coronary heart disease heart disease.

HDL-Cholesterol Level Guidelines
Less than 40 mg/dL	Low
40 to 59 mg/dL	Near Optimal
60 mg/dL and above	Optimal

Particle sizes

More sophisticated laboratory methods measure not just the total, but also the range of particles, typically divided into 5 groups by size, instead of just the total concentration as listed above.

The largest two groups (most functional) of High Density Lipoprotein particles have the most protective effects. The two groups of smallest particles reflect HDL particles which are not actively transporting cholesterol, thus not protective.

We can increase our good cholesterol levels and protect ourselves from heart disease

Things we can do to increase HDL levels

• Diet and proper nutrition eating heart healthy foods such as soy, almonds and nuts that are known to lower cholesterol levels.
• Losing weight and keeping the weight off through any type of diet program that fits your personality. And start losing weight the healthy way.
• Exercising doing cardiovascular exercises and resistance exercises
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing stress through various relaxation techniques
• Controlling your blood pressure, through diets exercises, relaxation, vitamins and medications if the need arises
• Reducing your cholesterol levels through exercise, vitamins, natural cures, and statins if prescribed to do so by your doctor.

Why wait till it's too late, begin living a heart healthy lifestyle now.

Disclaimer: The information that I am writing on these pages are for educational purposes only, and are intended to inspire us to learn more about heart disease. By doing so we can learn how to eliminate the leading cause of death, and create a better life for us and our children. I am only a heart patient, in no way should what I am writing, replace any medical advice given to you by your doctors. parts of this article are licensed under the GNU free documentation lisence.It uses material from the HDL article