What is cholesterol, HDL and LDL?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance with a molecular weight of about 387g/mol. It is an essential part of the cell membranes of all animals. It is needed to ensure the correct pliability and permeability of the cell membranes. It is also a necessary building block for many hormones like sex hormones and corticosteroids, of several fat-soluble vitamins, and of the bile acids. Since Cholesterol is not water-soluble, it cannot be just dissolved in the bloodstream for transportation. Cholesterol is therefore bound to large complexes of proteins, fats and other lipids to form large complexes for transportation. The two main kinds of transport complexes are called low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL). HDL has the highest protein content and is therefore denser than other lipoprotein-complexes. HDL is also known as “good cholesterol”, as levels over 60mg/dl in the blood are associated with protection from atherosclerosis and heart disease. Levels below 40mg/dl in men a
Cholesterol is a waxy substance with a molecular weight of about 387g/mol. It is an essential part of the cell membranes of all animals. It is needed to ensure the correct pliability and permeability of the cell membranes. It is also a necessary building block for many hormones like sex hormones and corticosteroids, of several fat-soluble vitamins, and of the bile acids. Since Cholesterol is not water-soluble, it cannot be just dissolved in the bloodstream for transportation. Cholesterol is therefore bound to large complexes of proteins, fats and other lipids to form large complexes for transportation. The two main kinds of transport complexes are called low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL). HDL has the highest protein content and is therefore denser than other lipoprotein-complexes. HDL is also known as “good cholesterol”, as levels over 60mg/dl in the blood are associated with protection from atherosclerosis and heart disease. Levels below 40mg/dl in men a
