HDL is the protective form of cholesterol that prevents hear attacks and strokes. The ratios of cholesterol, LDL, and HDL are reviewed. The role of inflammation is explained in causing plaque. Increasing HDL is a promising new idea, but there are problems. The value of cholesterol is also reviewed; it makes vitamin D, healthy cell membranes, many hormones. When total cholesterol drops below 160 all cause mortality goes up even though the risk for heart attack goes down. Synthetic HDL is a novel approach to improving inflammation, but there are side effects that increase mortality for reasons that are not clear. Side effects of statins are also reviewed. Lifestyle is the most powerful way to improve your cholesterol. Fats are not the culprit in creating LDL, carbohydrates are.
