The Diet Myth: The Real Science Behind What We Eat

by Tim Spector

When lipids are joined to proteins they are called lipoproteins, and are much more useful and interesting than total cholesterol. They can now be measured accurately in the blood as high-density or low-density lipoproteins, called HDL and LDL respectively, and they transport cholesterol around. The low-density lipoproteins are the bad guys, allowing small drops of lipids to get caught in the blood vessel walls, which leads to a build-up of plaque and heart disease or stroke. If your liver produces a lot of HDL, the good guys, most of your lipids are transported safely to their target and disposed of without any collateral damage. When lipids are made up of short chains of fatty acids they are generally liquid (oils), and when in longer chains they are solid at room temperature (fats).