November 3, 2012
Bringing up baby lipoproteins
A lipoprotein is born as a chylomicron, a particle that your intestinal cells assemble from the proteins and fats you eat. Chylomicrons are very, very low density particles.
Why are some lipoproteins called low density and others high density?
- The term density refers to a lipoprotein’s weight.
- Protein weighs more than fat.
- Lipoproteins containing proportionately less protein than fat are low density lipoproteins, also known as LDLs. LDLs are the “bad” particles that carry cholesterol into your arteries.
- Lipoproteins containing proportionately more protein than fat are high density lipoproteins, also known as HDLs. HDLs are the “good” particles that ferry cholesterol out of your body.
Now, back to chylomicrons. These lipoproteins start out with very little protein and a lot of light and fluffy fat and cholesterol. But as they flow through your bloodstream from your intestines on their way to your liver (your body’s lipoprotein factory), the chylomicrons release their fats, known as triglycerides, into your blood.
The stripped down chylomicron, also known as a chylomicron remnant, still has its cholesterol and protein. Now, the remnant slides into your liver, and fat comes back into the picture.
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