As I stated in Part 1 of my Blog on the relationship between cholesterol and LDL it is my intention in Part 2 to help you understand the significance of high VLDL (very low density lipoproteins) in comparison to overall LDL (low density lipoproteins) and HDL (high density Lipoproteins) levels when it comes to determining heart disease risk.

VLDL is the third class of lipoproteins, which is not discussed much in medical circles even so it should be. It is common knowledge that LDL in the blood can be raised by consuming saturated fats; however VLDL levels are raised by the consumption of a high carbohydrate diet. By putting patients with high cholesterol, at risk for heart disease, on a low fat diet, which in turn typically means the ingestion of more refined carbohydrates, may be counter productive. Low fat diets may lower the patients LDL, but it will also raise VLDL levels, which could cause more harm then good hence the “carbohydrate factor”.

Total cholesterol measurements really do not tell us the whole truth. Just making LDL the “bad cholesterol” is a huge over simplification of what the real risk factors are. What we really want is a larger proportion of the LDL’s (larger and fluffier) versus VLDL (smaller and denser) lipoproteins. In other words we really want to know the quality of the LDL’s cholesterol present. For instance the LDL carries cholesterol, but the amount of cholesterol the LDL carries varies. Most LDL’s begin their journey as VLDL’s. This is why VLDL levels are a legitimate precursor and more accurate determining factor for heart disease. It all has to do with how the liver synthesizes cholesterol.

After we eat a meal high in carbohydrates the blood is filled with glucose, which the body then transforms a portion into fat and triglycerides for temporary storage. The liver then secretes this triglyceride rich blood into VLDL, which is then delivered throughout the body. As long as sufficient triglycerides stay in the lipoprotein to be deposited in the tissues of the body the evolution is to become progressively smaller LDL’s. This journey from VLDL to LDL is a better indicator of why men with high LDL cholesterol will also very likely have high VLDL triglycerides.

This triglyceride effect will occur whenever carbohydrates are consumed in excess. In the US and other developed nations, where calories are plentiful, it is the abundance of carbohydrates that pushes our metabolism toward the production and formation of fatty deposit lipoproteins in the arteries.

This scenario may explain why most well developed nations, like the US, are experiencing a huge obesity epidemic and an extreme spike in heart disease risk in woman and children.

Isn’t it time we stop ingesting all the processed carbohydrates? Isn’t it time we eat more whole grains, fruits, nuts and fresh vegetables? I don’t know, it’s just a thought.