High Density Lipoproteins

High density lipoprotein, also known as HDL, is considered the "good" cholesterol. HDL is produced by the liver to carry cholesterol and other lipids (fats) from tissues and organs back to the liver for recycling or degradation. High levels of HDL are a good indicator of a healthy heart, because less cholesterol is available in your blood to attach to blood vessels and cause plaque formation.

HDL cholesterol scavenges and removes LDL or "bad" cholesterol.HDL reduces, reuses, and recycles LDL cholesterol by transporting it to the liver where it can be reprocessed. HDL cholesterol acts as a maintenance crew for the inner walls of blood vessels (endothelium). Damage to the endothelium is the first step which causes heart attacks and strokes. HDL chemically scrubs the endothelium clean and keeps it healthy.

Low Density Lipoproteins

Low density lipoproteins, also referred to as LDL, is known as the "bad cholesterol". LDLs are produced by the liver and carry cholesterol and other lipids (fats) from the liver to different areas of the body, like muscles, tissues, organs, and the heart. It is very important to keep LDL levels low, because high levels of LDL indicate that there is much more cholesterol in the blood stream than necessary, therefore increasing your risk of heart disease.

Olive oil is rich in oleic acid, the most common monounsatured fatty acid and it is effective in lowering total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, when substituted with satured fat in the diet. Plus, monounsatured fats does not lower beneficial HDL cholesterol or raise triglycerides, unlike polyunsatured fats which may lower HDL cholesterol.