HDL cholesterol
Heart healthOften called "good cholesterol," it helps remove excess cholesterol from your arteries and transports it to the liver for processing, offering protection against atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Why this matters
Higher HDL levels are associated with lower cardiovascular risk because HDL helps prevent plaque buildup in arteries. Lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, healthy fats (like those from olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish), avoiding smoking, moderate alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy weight can increase HDL. Unlike medications that lower 'bad' cholesterol, lifestyle changes are the primary way to raise HDL.
How this connects to other biomarkers
- Low HDL with high triglycerides defines atherogenic dyslipidemia, requiring lifestyle changes focusing on weight loss and carbohydrate restriction.
- HDL declining with insulin resistance indicates metabolic syndrome progression, warranting diabetes screening and prevention strategies.
- Low HDL with high hs-CRP reveals active inflammation consuming protective HDL, suggesting need for anti-inflammatory interventions.
Included in
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