Because cholesterol is a fatty substance, aka a lipid, it can't dissolve or mix into the blood. That means it can't travel through the bloodstream on its own. So, the liver packages cholesterol along with other fats into little protein-covered particles called lipoproteins, according to Harva...
LDL cholesterol is an important contributor to the risk of coronary heart disease, and its measurement is central to evaluating the effects of lipid-modifying therapies. Several 'LDL-cholesterol' assays exist but their methodologies differ, leading to between-assay heterogeneity in values of 'LDL ...
Although we usually think of cholesterol as something clogging our arteries and causing major problems for our hearts, there is actually another type of cholesterol that is good for your heart. This cholesterol is calledhigh-density lipoprotein, or HDL. Cholesterol is a steroid lipid, a ring of...
Yes, having too much cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease — aka the leading cause of death in American adults — but that doesn't mean cholesterol is 100 percent evil. Advertisement We need some cholesterol; we wouldn't be able to live without it. Instead of b...
A lipid panel is a simple blood test used to monitor your cholesterol levels and assess your risk of heart disease. Here’s a closer look at this important screening. What does a lipid panel measure? A lipid is a soft, fatty, waxy substance that does not dissolve in water and which ...
HDL cholesterol is a type of lipid that serves many important functions in the body, including cleaning excess cholesterol out of...
HDL is often referred to as "good cholesterol" because it is beneficial to a person's health. LDL is often called "bad cholesterol" because too much of it can be harmful. Testing In a lipid test, the lipoproteins are separated so that the level of each one in the patient's blood can...
A cholesterol molecule is a lipid, which is a category of water-insoluble substances such as waxes, oils and fats. Because it can't dissolve in water or watery substances like blood, cholesterol can't move around in the bloodstream on its own. It has to catch a ride. ...
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, is the type that tends to deposit on the walls of the arteries. White blood cells combine with the LDL cholesterol, forming artery-narrowing plaque, which restricts blood flow. The optimal level of LDL cholestero...
Cholesterol, a lipid, is a precursor for several hormones. 3 Carbohydrates Any of a group of organic compounds, including sugars, starches, celluloses, and gums, that contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and that originate chiefly as products of photosynthesis. Carbohydrates serve as a major...