Lipo proteins

Clinical Nutrition
Lesson 26: Cardio Vascular Disease- Risk factors, Lipo and Apo proteins

Lipo proteins

Since lipoproteins are the major transport forms of lipids in the blood, an increase in one or more of these plasma lipoproteins creates a condition called hyper lipoproteinemia which is a risk factor for heart disease. Lipoproteins are formed in the intestinal wall after the ingestion of a meal. They have a high triglyceride content and are cleared from the blood by lipoprotein lipase. The liver also synthesizes lipoproteins from endogenous fat sources.

The various lipo proteins are

  • Chylomicrons – produced from exogenous fat and consisting of a large percentage of triglycerides.
  • Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), formed from endogenous fats in the liver also contain more of lipids and less of proteins.
  • Intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) deliver endogenous triglycerides to the cells for their use.
  • Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) carry two thirds of the plasma cholesterol. Since LDL carries more cholesterol to the cell, it is the main agent of concern.
  • High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) carries less cholesterol and more protein and is also formed in the liver from endogenous fat sources. It carries cholesterol from the tissues to the liver for breaking down and excretion and therefore higher levels of HDL are considered cardio protective.
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Last modified: Saturday, 5 November 2011, 2:23 PM