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Lipoproteins. What are lipoproteins?. Lipoproteins are molecules produced in the body and act as lipid transporters They consist of: Triglycerides Protein Phospholipids Free cholesterol. There are four types of lipoproteins: Chylomicrons LDL VLDL HDL. Chylomicrons.
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What are lipoproteins? • Lipoproteins are molecules produced in the body and act as lipid transporters • They consist of: • Triglycerides • Protein • Phospholipids • Free cholesterol
There are four types of lipoproteins: • Chylomicrons • LDL • VLDL • HDL
Chylomicrons • Carry fat from the intestine to the liver • Along the way it drops off fat in adipose tissue (for storage) • Only present in blood 2 -10 hours after a meal
VLDL • Stands for very low density lipoprotein • Lipids made in the liver, or those collected from chylomicron remnants are packaged into VLDL and then transported to other parts of the body
As the VLDL moves through the body, cells remove triglycerides causing the VLDL to shrink. This causes the VLDL to become more dense, as it loses fat.
LDL • VLDL’s lose so much fat that they eventually become LDL’s • Low Density Lipoproteins • LDL’s are cholesterol rich • Circulates through the body to be taken up • It will return to the liver, however if it is not needed, then LDL will remain in the blood
HDL • High density lipoprotein • Made in liver to collect extra and unwanted cholesterol
Why do you need to worry about LDL and HDL? • High HDL represents cholesterol returning to the liver • High LDL is associated with heart disease, heart attack • Remember that HDL and LDL are the same, the only difference is the proportions of lipids to proteins in each