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What Is HDL and HDL2?

HDL and HDL 2 cruise along the arteries of the body, searching for an accumulation of the substance that leads to cardiovascular disease. If you’ve always believed that all forms of cholesterol are unhealthy, HDL proves that concept wrong.

  1. Identification

    • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) handle the movement of cholesterol throughout the body. LDL carries it to organs and tissue, while HDL ferries excess cholesterol back to the liver for disposal.

    Significance

    • The fact that HDL acts as a sort of “waste-management” company by removing cholesterol deposits earns it distinction as the “good” form of cholesterol.

    Types

    • Five sub-classes of HDL exist; 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, and 3c. The size of the HDL particles determines type, with HDL 2a being the largest and 3c the smallest. HDL 2 is the class that actually handles the majority of cholesterol removal.

    Levels

    • In a story published by "Men's Health" magazine, Chris Slentz, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist at Duke University, indicated that attention should be paid to increasing the size of HDL particles. The larger forms of this cholesterol may be increased by significant weekly cardiovascular exercise, he wrote.

    Considerations

    • High levels of HDL suggest a healthy cardiovascular system. “Low HDL level (less than 40 mg/dL in men; less than 50 mg/dL in women) indicates a greater risk,” according to the American Heart Association.

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