Definition of High-Density Lipoprotein:
Also known as "good" cholesterol, HDLs are large, dense, protein-fat particles that circulate in the blood picking up already used and unused cholesterol and taking them back to the liver as part of a recycling process. Higher levels of HDLs are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease because the cholesterol is cleared more readily from the blood.
Also: HDL
Topics Related to High-Density Lipoprotein
Arjun
...as a treatment
“...It lowers beta-lipoprotein lipids and restores HDL components in cases of hyperlipidemia...”
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More topics Related to High-Density Lipoprotein
Atherosclerosis
...the condition
“...Risk factors include male gender, menopause in women, hypertension, elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), quitting smoking, diabetes, obesity, having a personal or family history of heart disease, sedentary lifestyle, increasing age, high fat or sucrose intake...”
Cholesterol Level Check
...as a treatment
“...The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends periodic total serum cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) screening for all men aged 35 and older and all women aged 45 and older...”
Chromium
...as a treatment
“...Chromium has been shown to lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and raise healthy HDL levels. Chromium also increases glucose tolerance, another important aspect of artery protection...”
...related topic
“...Chromium helps maintain normal cholesterol levels and improves high-density lipoprotein levels. Chromium is also important in building muscle and reducing obesity.”
Coronary Disease / Heart Attack
...the condition
“...Laboratory testing is now going far beyond total cholesterol (HDL and LDL ratios) and triglycerides...”
...our question about Low-carbohydrate dieting
“...significant weight loss reported in the Atkins group, every single cardiac risk factor measured worsened after a year on the Atkins Diet (measures included LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, homocysteine, Lp(a), and fibrinogen)...”
...relationship to Low Male Testosterone Level
“...This study also found that the protective HDL cholesterol levels were higher in men with higher testosterone levels...”
Diabetes Type II
...recommendation Chromium
“...to work better than chromium alone, and small amounts given daily have been shown to both increase glucose tolerance and decrease blood fats, both cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as to raise HDL. Chromium also does this and has been used along with niacin (also a part of GTF) in the treatment of high blood cholesterol.”
...recommendation Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
“Although niacin increases low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which frequently accompanies diabetes, past guidelines did not recommend the use of niacin in patients with diabetes because of concerns about adverse effects on...”
Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence)
...the condition
“...Contributing causes include a lack of exercise, smoking, excess alcohol consumption, obesity and increased total cholesterol or reduced HDL levels. Psychological causes These can include abnormal fears of the vagina, sexual guilt, fear of intimacy, or depression...”
Estrogen Replacement
...as a treatment
“...The total cholesterol will increase and the good (HDL) cholesterol will decrease...”
Estrogens Low
...relationship to Atherosclerosis
“Low estrogen levels raise LDL-C (bad) cholesterol, while lowering HDL (good) cholesterol, both of which contribute to atherosclerosis...”
Excess Animal Fat Consumption
...the condition
“...There are two types of cholesterol in our bodies: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)...”
Fish Oils
...as a treatment
“...According to some but not all studies, fish or fish oil appears to lower triglyceride levels, raise HDL ("good") cholesterol, "thin" the blood, reduce levels of homocysteine, slow down atherosclerosis, help prevent death from heart disease, and perhaps also treat hypertension...”
Green Tea
...as a treatment
“...Reducing total cholesterol and LDL, it also increases the levels of positive cholesterol (HDL). Green Tea can strengthen a weak immune system against common illnesses such as the flu, bronchitis or infections that take a long time to heal or return quickly...”
Gugulipids
...as a treatment
“...Gugulipid has been shown to effectively lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides, lower LDL and raise HDL levels. Its primary mode of action seems to be the ability to increase the number of LDL receptors on the liver...”
High Levels Of Triglycerides
...relationship to Gallbladder Disease
“Gallstone formation does not correlate with blood cholesterol levels, but persons with low HDL cholesterol (the so-called good cholesterol) levels or high triglyceride levels are at increased risk.”
...relationship to Coronary Disease / Heart Attack
“There are a group of studies clearly indicating that elevated triglycerides combined with low HDL (two abnormalities known to be caused by high insulin) are much more predictive of cardiovascular disease than either elevated total cholesterol or elevated LDL levels.”
...recommendation Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
“In a study of people with high cholesterol, niacin not only reduced LDL and triglycerides by 17% and 18% respectively, but it also increased HDL by 16%.”
...recommendation High/Increased Protein Diet
“...the carbohydrate intake was low enough to convert the body's primary fuel from glucose to stored fat has shown a drop in total cholesterol and improvements in risk ratios of total cholesterol to HDL, with a dramatic decrease in triglycerides.”
High Total Cholesterol
...the condition
“...Three main types of lipoproteins exist ... HDL – high-density lipoprotein...”
...relationship to Manganese Requirement
“See the link between Low HDL/LDL Cholesterol Ratio and Manganese Need.”
...recommendation Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
“...Niacin may also be helpful by transforming small unprotective HDL particles into larger ones which do offer a protective effect to the cardiovascular system.”
...recommendation Chromium
“Chromium recently has been shown to lower blood cholesterol while mildly raising HDL (high-density lipoprotein), the good portion of cholesterol...”
...recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition
“...of 49 observational and controlled studies found that plant-based vegetarian diets – especially vegan diets – are associated with lower levels of total cholesterol, including lower levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol, compared to omnivorous diets...”
...recommendation Olive Oil
“Monounsaturated fatty acids – as contained in olive oil – reduce total and LDL cholesterol concentrations without reducing the levels of HDL cholesterol, thus leading to favorable changes in the serum lipid profile and possibly to changes in the physicochemical properties of lipoproteins...”
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More topics Related to High-Density Lipoprotein
LDL/HDL Ratio, High
...the condition
“HDL and LDL are two different types of cholesterol that are measured as an index of a patient's risk for cardiovascular disease...”
...relationship to Atherosclerosis
“...Since HDL cholesterol reduces the risk, low HDL levels are not desirable.”
...relationship to Gallbladder Disease
“Gallstone formation does not correlate with blood cholesterol levels, but persons with low HDL cholesterol (the so-called good cholesterol) levels or high triglyceride levels are at increased risk.”
...recommendation Policosanol/Octacosanol
“Policosanol can lower LDL cholesterol as much as 20% and raise protective HDL cholesterol by 10%.”
...recommendation Vitamin E
“Vitamin E causes an increase in HDL levels.”
Low DHEA Level
...the condition
“...is often effective for age-related issues such as sharper memory, enhanced immune function, energy, smooth skin, tired muscles, cardiovascular health, accelerated weight loss, and it may increase HDL. Some doctors allow trials of DHEA in cases where it is suspected someone is deficient; we believe in having your hormone level of DHEA checked first...”
Low Male Testosterone Level
...the condition
“...Once large study in 2008 found that men with testosterone levels below 250ng/dL were fatter and had lower HDL, higher triglycerides, higher blood pressure, and higher blood glucose – all serious markers of poor health and high risk...”
NADH
...as a treatment
“...No significant differences were noted in blood levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride or HDL cholesterol...”
Peripheral Vascular Disease
...the condition
“...Risk factors for peripheral vascular disease are similar to those for atherosclerosis and include ... Low HDL ("good") cholesterol...”
Policosanol/Octacosanol
...as a treatment
“...Policosanol can lower LDL cholesterol by as much as 20% and raise protective HDL cholesterol by 10%...”
Poor Circulation
...the condition
“...If you don't know your cholesterol numbers yet, ask your doctor to measure your levels of "good" (HDL) and "bad" (LDL) cholesterol...”
Problems Associated With A Sedentary Lifestyle
...relationship to Syndrome X / Metabolic Syndrome
“Many components of metabolic syndrome are associated with a sedentary lifestyle, including increased adipose tissue, reduced HDL cholesterol, and a trend toward increased triglycerides, blood pressure, and glucose in the genetically susceptible...”
Problems Caused By Being Overweight
...relationship to Syndrome X / Metabolic Syndrome
“...Reduced HDL cholesterol: < 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L) in males, < 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) in females, or specific treatment for this lipid abnormality; Raised blood pressure: systolic BP > 130 or diastolic BP >...”
Test for Cardiac Risk Factors
...as a treatment
“...In fact, these two cholesterol particles have turned out to be more powerful predictive markers for a future fatal heart attack than levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol, "bad" (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, or triglycerides...”
The Effects Of Overtraining
...our question about Your HDL cholesterol level
“Very vigorous exercise and regular long-term heavy aerobic exercise can cause HDL levels to become especially elevated...”
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
...as a treatment
“...To lower the LDL component and raise the good HDL cholesterol, people usually take 50-100mg...”
Vitamin B3 Requirement
...the condition
“...Coronary Project Research Group's major study in 1975 found that niacin not only reduces cholesterol levels but cuts back the likelihood of subsequent heart attacks by almost 30% while increasing HDL ("good" cholesterol)...”
Vitamin E
...as a treatment
“...While helping myocardium (heart muscle) use oxygen more efficiently, vitamin E can even lift HDL (good) cholesterol levels...”
Weight Loss
...as a treatment
“...Regular workouts are advantageous to increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lean body mass, and diminishing rapid weight gain...”
Zinc
...as a treatment
“...Long-term zinc supplementation above 50mg has been shown to decrease HDL cholesterol and increase total cholesterol...”
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Last updated: May 25, 2023