high-density lipoprotein

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Explanation of "High-Density Lipoprotein"

Definition:High-density lipoprotein (often abbreviated as HDL) is a type of fat (lipid) that is found in your blood. It is made up of proteins and fats, but it has a higher amount of protein compared to other types of lipoproteins. HDL is important because it helps transport cholesterol away from your arteries and back to your liver, where it can be removed from your body. Having high levels of HDL is thought to lower the risk of heart diseases, such as coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Context: Typically used in medical, health, or fitness discussions.

Example Sentence:

• "Doctors often check a person's high-density lipoprotein levels during routine blood tests to assess heart health."

Advanced Usage:

• In discussions about cardiovascular health, you might see HDL mentioned alongside low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is often referred to as "bad cholesterol." Understanding the balance between HDL and LDL is crucial for maintaining good heart health.

Word Variants:

• Lipoprotein: This is a broader category that includes HDL and other types of lipoproteins (such as LDL).
• Cholesterol: While HDL is a type of lipoprotein that helps manage cholesterol, it is important to understand cholesterol itself can be "good" (HDL) or "bad" (LDL).

Different Meanings:

• In a more technical context, "high-density lipoprotein" may refer to specific measurements and laboratory results related to cholesterol and heart health.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "high-density lipoprotein," but it is often referred to in medical contexts simply as "good cholesterol."

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no commonly known idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "high-density lipoprotein." However, you might encounter phrases like "keep your cholesterol levels in check," which refers to maintaining a healthy balance of HDL and LDL.

Summary:

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a beneficial type of cholesterol that plays a key role in heart health.

Academic

Noun

1. a lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood; composed of a high proportion of protein and relatively little cholesterol; high levels are thought to be associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis

Synonyms

• HDL
• alpha-lipoprotein