What is LDL and HDL?
LDL is known as the "bad cholesterol" and it stands for low density lipoprotein and if too much of it builds up it can cause atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of plaques of fatty material on their inner wall. It is considered to be low density because the cholesterol particles it picks up are less dense than other types of cholesterol molecules. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, it also referred to the good cholesterol. It's role is to take the cholesterol out of the tissues and to the liver, where it is disposed of. HDL is a lot more dense compared to other types of cholesterol so it is considered to be the highest density.