What is HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol?
About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein or HDL. Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol because a high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack. The opposite is also true: a low HDL level (less than 40 mg/dL) indicates a greater risk of heart disease. A low HDL cholesterol level also may increase the risk of stroke. Eating soy (ie, tofu, which is made from soybeans) can help raise your level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) Dishes that include soybeans, soy milk, soy flour, and textured soy protein are good places to start.
