Optimal - The Blog
April 13, 2023
Cholesterol is a vital compound produced in the body for many purposes, including its role in cell membrane structure and fluidity, brain and nerve health, and the production of important hormones such as estrogen, cortisol, and aldosterone. However, if cholesterol gets oxidized, it can become "bad cholesterol" and contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic disorders, including heart disease and metabolic syndrome.
An evaluation of how cholesterol is transported provides a much better assessment of whether it increases the risk of disease. In the past, the cholesterol carried by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was considered "bad." However, advanced research recognizes that the cholesterol carried on small, dense LDL particles (sdLDL-C) and the sdLDLs themselves can become oxidized and modified in ways that increase their likelihood of contributing to atherosclerosis.
Research also reveals that an increase in sdLDL-C indicates cardiovascular risk even if LDL-cholesterol is very low. Therefore, an elevated sdLDL-C may detect a risk of adverse cardiovascular events previously overlooked in patients on statin drugs with a low LDL-C.
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Tag(s):
Biomarkers
