How Not All LDL Cholesterol Is “Bad” For Your Heart

by Dr John Briffa
for The Cholesterol Truth

Excerpts:

Cholesterol is transported in the bloodstream in the form of what are known as ‘lipoproteins’. Basically, these are tiny packages of cholesterol and fat, encased in a mix of fats (known as phospholipids) and protein. Lipoproteins come in two different forms: ‘low-density’ and ‘high density’. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) has links with a reduced risk of heart disease, while low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is linked with heightened heart disease risk. This is basically why HDL and LDL are often referred to as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol respectively.

While LDL-cholesterol has been painted as a villain where heart disease is concerned, increasing evidence shows that not all LDL-cholesterol is bad. LDL-cholesterol varies in size, ranging from small, dense particles up to much larger, less-dense (‘fluffy’) particles. It has been known for a long time that the size and density of LDL particles has an important bearing on apparent risk of heart disease. What the evidence shows is this: small, dense LDL particles are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, while large, ‘fluffy’ LDL particles are not [1]. This evidence suggests that the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet so commonly advocated for heart disease prevention can lead to changes in LDL size (making LDL smaller and denser) – a change that is actually associated with enhanced risk of heart disease. It’s another reason to be mistrustful of conventional dietary advice regarding the prevention of heart disease.

Here’s to a healthy heart

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