Why is HDL called the good cholesterol?
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Dr. Dean Ornish answered:Your body makes high density lipoprotein (HDL) to remove excessive cholesterol from your blood and tissues, a process known as “reverse cholesterol transport.” Think of HDL as the garbage trucks of your body. HDL transports cholesterol back to your liver, where it is metabolized and removed from your body. Your body’s ability to make more garbage trucks (raise your HDL) is, in part, genetically determined. Some people can make more garbage trucks than others.
Most Americans eat a diet that’s relatively high in saturated fat and cholesterol - i.e., a lot of “garbage.” People who have a lot of garbage trucks - in other words, who have high HDL levels - are more efficient at getting rid of extra fat and cholesterol in their diet. As a result, they have a lower risk of a heart attack or stroke than those who eat a high-fat, high cholesterol diet who have lower HDL levels. However, the relationship of HDL to the risk of heart disease and stroke assumes that people are not changing their diet.
Find out more about this book: The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer,...
Your body makes high density lipoprotein (HDL) to remove excessive cholesterol from your blood and tissues, a process known as “reverse cholesterol transport.” Think of HDL as the garbage trucks of your body. HDL transports cholesterol... More
