The Great Misunderstood High-Density Lipoprotein

What do I mean by “misunderstood?” Look no further than the common misnomer of “good” or “bad” cholesterol.

Good and Bad Cholesterol

While it may be true that High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) has potentially beneficial functions (reverse cholesterol transport), we have to remember there is no such thing as good and bad cholesterol. The cholesterol carried by HDL is the same as that carried by LDL. The only thing that makes it good or bad is if it ends up synthesizing our hormones or bile acids (good), or if it ends up in our vessel walls (bad).

If it’s true there is no such thing as good and bad cholesterol, why do we care about our HDL levels?

First, let’s start with the basics.

HDL is the smallest and most densely packed lipoprotein and has one or more ApoA protein on its surface. HDL can help lipids move around in circulation by accepting triglycerides or cholesterol from other particles, thus helping a VLDL turn into an LDL, or helping an LDL contain less cholesterol (turning a small dense LDL into a less densely packed LDL).

Like LDL, HDL transports cholesterol to the liver for recycling or excretion, or to the hormone producing cells like in the adrenals. Unlike LDL, HDL does not have the potential to get retained in the vascular wall and does not, therefore, contribute to plaque formation. In fact, functioning HDL can remove cholesterol from the vessel wall, thus putting it back into circulation and possibly removing it from the body.

Back to the question at hand.

 

Why should we care about HDL levels?

Early epidemiological trials showed that lower HDL levels were associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and even death.  With such a strong association, the medical profession promoted elevated HDL levels as protective and low levels as something we need to avoid.

Since these were observational epidemiological studies, they do not prove that the low HDL caused the problems, only that HDL was associated with it. For instance, HDL is also known to be low in diabetes, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. It may, therefore, simply be a marker of underlying metabolic dysfunction that contributes to increased risk.  Yet, HDL’s function in reverse cholesterol transport, and its ability to remove cholesterol from vessel walls suggests a more direct impact on cardiovascular health.

It is also important to note that the Framingham data suggested that increased cardiovascular risk with elevated total cholesterol and LDL-C was lost in the presence of high HDL. In fact, very low levels of LDL combined with very low HDL levels had a much higher risk than markedly elevated LDL levels when combined with elevated HDL.

Thus, HDL proves to be a useful marker to help predict cardiovascular risk. For instance, one large meta-analysis showed that total cholesterol/HDL ratio was a much stronger predictor of cardiac mortality than total cholesterol alone.

In addition, the PURE study, an observational trial in over 135,000 subjects, showed that when considering lipid changes brought about by nutritional changes, ApoB/ApoA1 (essentially LDL-P/HDL-P ratio) is the best predictor of clinical outcomes.

Thus, HDL level is important in assessing cardiovascular risk.

 

Drugs Muddy the Picture

While HDL may be a good predictor of risk, raising it with drugs does not seem to confer added benefit.

For instance, cholesterol ester transferase protein inhibitors (CETP inhibitors) significantly reduced LDL by 20-30% and increased HDL 100-fold, yet showed either no clinical benefit or even worse, an increased risk of death.

This was a shock to many in the lipid world as the notion of “good” and “bad” cholesterol would clearly predict lowering LDL and raising HDL would confer dramatic health benefits. So much so, that multiple pharmaceutical companies invested hundreds of millions of dollars developing these drugs only to abandon them when the trials showed no benefit.

Part of the issue is that not all HDL lipoproteins function the same. There are subsets of people with genetically determined markedly elevated HDL levels who have an increased risk of CVD. They may have plenty of cholesterol circulating in HDL particles, but the HDL particles are dysfunctional and therefore  do not effectively remove cholesterol from vessel walls or LDL and do not effectively transport it to the liver. Conversely, there are those with a specific genetic mutation called ApoA1 Milano who have very low HDL-C and lower cardiovascular risk.

Simply measuring the HDL cholesterol content, therefore, may not accurately reflect its function. While we do not have easily available tests to measure HDL function, we can potentially use HDL particle assessment as well as the company it keeps (i.e. low triglycerides, larger less dense LDL particles) to better assess the potential benefits of HDL. Thus, if there is any concern about potentially dysfunctional HDL, I usually recommend advanced lipid testing to see the specific subtypes of HDL.

What can we conclude from all the HDL confusion?

Raising HDL with drugs does not reduce cardiovascular events, yet having a naturally low HDL is associated with increased risk.

The best answer, therefore, is to live a lifestyle that helps you have a “not low” HDL level. This means first and foremost avoiding the medical conditions associated with low HDL (i.e. insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome).

Textbooks predictably state the interventions to naturally raise HDL include exercise and moderate alcohol intake. Unfortunately, these have minimal effects. In fact, they pale in comparison to a low carb high fat lifestyle. In my 20+ years in the medical field, I have never seen an intervention as effective as LCHF in raising HDL, and the studies agree.

This brings us back to our question once again.

Why are HDL levels important?

HDL levels are important because it is a reflection of our underlying metabolic health and our lifestyle. A properly constructed LCHF lifestyle lowers triglycerides, raises HDL, and reduces the small dense LDL, among other benefits. Such a lifestyle likely reduces overall cardiovascular risk and will likely be shown to improve longevity and health span. While HDL may not be the main reason for this, we can’t ignore its role simply because it is more nuanced than “good” and “bad” cholesterol.

My advice, therefore, is to see the whole picture. Embrace the nuance. And make sure you get a thorough and proper evaluation of your cardiovascular risk.

If you are hungry for more, I created my Truth About Lipids program, a program focused on Cholesterol, to help break through the confusion and provide you with everything you need to thoroughly understand cholesterol and its impact on your health.

Learn more: Truth About Lipids Program

 

If you still have questions, you may want to consider a one-on-one health coaching consultation so you can get the individual attention you deserve  with a thorough assessment of your lifestyle and its impact on you as an individual.

Please comment below if you have any questions or comments that may help further the discussion.

Thanks for reading.

Bret Scher MD FACC

13 thoughts on “The Great Misunderstood High-Density Lipoprotein”

    1. Hi Reba. Good question. In terms of efficacy, most hyperresponders do very well on a LCHF diet, meaning they feel great, they improve their insulin sensitivity, they lose weight and have better energy. I have yet to see a hyperresponder with a “meh” response to LCHF. The harder question is if the elevated LDL is a concern in that setting. I wish I had an easy answer. For most people in that situation I dont believe it is, but I do not have good evidence to support that claim. Instead, I believe that situation requires a deeper evaluation to make sure there are no other concerning factors, CAC, inflammation, size and density, etc. etc. etc. It is a very personalized decision from there. I hope that helps somewhat!

  1. I am wondering if you know of any cardiologist’s in Minnesota that are onboard with the low carb lifestyle? My brother was just diagnosed with a PFO and he is being harassed by the doctor about his low carb lifestyle and his cholesterol. They want him on a statin, plavix and aspirin immediately. He had a mini stroke.
    Total Cholesterol =253
    HDL, S =84
    Calculated LDL = 159
    Triglycerides =49
    He’s 5’11 and 153 pounds.

    1. I am sorry to hear that your brother is having a hard time with his doctors. I am sorry, but I do not know of anyone off hand in Minnesota. DietDoctor.com has a list of low carb friendly physicians. Maybe check there?

  2. Hi! I live in Encinitas! I’m new to the Kaiser insurance having moved out of Coronado and Sharp Health “care” after 22 years. Any how I found out a year ago I have high LPa. Was told to take niacin…which did lower it …but my liver enzymes rose so I stopped. Any advice? I take no meds, I’m 56. Active, low BMI and do LCHF…but I can’t handle meat…so I have hard time keeping protein level in good range. Other than that I’m fine! No CVD .. zero on CAC and good CIMT measurement. Thanks!

    1. Hi Robin. Thanks for your message. Unfortunately I can’t comment on individual cases online. We would need a full consult for that (which I am happy to do if you wish). Lp(a) is definitely a tough issue. It is an independent risk factor for CVD and is very difficult to safely lower. Plus we aren’t even sure if lowering it makes a difference. That’s why I use it as one additional marker in an overall picture and try to help each individual decide how much emphasis to put on it.

  3. How do you lower LP (a)? It seems LP (a) gets pushed into the background. I’m wandering around with levels never seen before and as such am a sitting duck! We know statins don’t lower it. Who is doing the research on it and where are the specialists who know how to treat it? Thanks.

    1. Hi Jan. Great question. Niacin and PCSK9 inhibitors can lower Lp(a). The harder questions is, does that matter? Sam Tsamikas is doing research on Lp(a) and they are developing a new drug to treat it. But again, the bigger questions is going to be does it improve health? For now, I tend to focus on improving all the cardiovascular risk factors, especially when Lp(a) is elevated.

  4. Hi

    My doctor put me on statin, I have genetic cholesterol, my sister had two bypasses and died at age 60

    Her cholesterol was three times higher than mine and she was on statins for most of her live 40mg dose which affected her muscles so she walked with difficulty

    She and my brother has more the genes from my mother where the high cholesterol comes from. blond hair and blue eyes

    Me and my two other sisters are more like my dad , brown hair and eyes.

    My total cholesterol is 249
    HDL 48
    LDL 182
    Triglycerides 96

    This has been exactly the same for most of my life, I am 53 years old.

    I never want to take Statins, I lost 66 pounds and still my cholesterol stayed the same.

    My mother actually died age 82 and not of her heart, never had any issues or bypasses.

    My question is will it really makes a difference taking statins if diet even changed it.

    I did take for a month 10mg but could feel its affecting my muscles.

    Thanks

    1. Hello Laetitia,

      Thank you for your question. This is an interesting topic that deserves a detailed analysis and explanation. We don’t feel the blog is an appropriate forum for this. If you would like a more individualized approach and answer, please feel free to sign up for a one-on-one consultation.

  5. What is your position on fish oil capsules? I have heard they help elevate HDL. Is this true or just a waste of money?

    1. Hi Sonia,

      Dr. Scher asked me to relay his response to you:

      “Fish oil is an interesting topic. At high enough doses, they can lower triglycerides and raise HDL in some people. The key is understanding if they are right for you, For that, you will need to work with a knowledgeable clinician to weigh the pros and cons.” – Dr. Bret Scher

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Bret Scher, MD FACC

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