Diet, Cholesterol & CVD Risk

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is disease of the heart and blood vessels, largely caused by atherosclerosis. Diet and lifestyle strongly influence the risk.

Lipoproteins

Lipids are carried in the blood bound to proteins as lipoproteins:

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) — carries cholesterol from the liver to cells. High LDL leads to cholesterol being deposited in artery walls → atheroma. LDL is the "bad" cholesterol; high saturated fat intake raises it.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) — carries excess cholesterol from tissues back to the liver for disposal. HDL is "good"; unsaturated fats raise the HDL:LDL ratio.

A healthy diet therefore aims to lower LDL and raise HDL, e.g. by replacing saturated with unsaturated fats.