What is HDL cholesterol (high density lipoproteins)?
High density lipoproteins (HDL) form a class of lipoproteins, varying somewhat in their size and contents, that carry cholesterol from the body’s tissues to the liver. HDL cholesterol makes up a smaller portion of the cholesterol carriers. However, HDLs are probably just as, if not more important than LDLs in preventing heart disease. HDL removes cholesterol from the blood by carrying it to the liver where it is metabolized. Therefore, it is beneficial to have high levels of high density lipoproteins in the blood.
