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High-Density Lipoprotein

Meaning

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is a complex, spherical particle in the blood, commonly referred to as “good cholesterol,” composed of a core of cholesterol esters and triglycerides surrounded by phospholipids and specific apolipoproteins. Its primary and most beneficial physiological role is reverse cholesterol transport, a process of removing excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues and transporting it back to the liver for excretion or reuse. Maintaining optimal circulating HDL levels is a key clinical biomarker and a protective factor for long-term cardiovascular health.