experts believe hdl cholesterol may act in a variety of helpful ways that tend to reduce the risk for heart disease: hdl cholesterol scavenges and removes "bad" cholesterol. hdl cholesterol can detoxify ldl making it a less harmful form. hdl reduces reuses and recycles ldl cholesterol by transporting it to the liver where it can be reprocessed. hdl cholesterol acts as a maintenance crew for the inner walls of blood vessels (endothelium). damage to the endothelium is the first step in the process of atherosclerosis which causes heart attacks and strokes. hdl chemically scrubs the endothelium clean and keeps it healthy.
how does hdl cholesterol reduce the risk for heart disease?