HDL CHOLESTEROL IS A POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT

HDL cholesterol in its own right has powerful antioxidant activity. HDL has long been known as the “good kind of cholesterol,” protecting against heart disease and atherosclerosis. It was recently discovered that HDL has powerful antioxidant properties, similar to vitamin C, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q-10.

An HDL associated enzyme, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase , which forms part of HDL, is a powerful antioxidant enzyme that blocks the oxidization of LDL cholesterol. Cholesterol is beneficial and without harm if it is not first oxidized.

Vohl MC, Neville TA, Kumarathasan R, Braschi S, Sparks DL: A novel lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase antioxidant activity prevents the formation of oxidized lipids during lipoprotein oxidation. Biochemistry; 1999 May 11;38(19):5976-81

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