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PLaTinuM_HaZe t1_j94mtui wrote

Reply to comment by protoopus in Low-density lipoprotein balances T cell metabolism and enhances response to anti-PD-1 blockade in a HCT116 spheroid model (2023) by basmwklz

LDL alone has always been a bad marker for cardiovascular health. For one, 75% of heart attack victims have normal LDL range. Second, there are 4 types of LDL that are raised from different sources. Type 1 and type 2 LDL are harmless and actually beneficial but type 3 and type 4 are what is harmful. Type 1 and type 2 are raised via animal fats, type 3 and 4 are raised via processed foods, sugars, and simple starchy carbohydrates. It all relates the globule sizes as the larger type 1 and 2 are too large to get stuck on lesions in blood vessels but the smaller sized 3 and 4 are what is a risk for getting stuck in the artery walls. So just general LDL levels isn’t very informative, you need the more advanced testing that breaks it into subtypes.

In addition, the 5 meta studies performed over the last 20 years have never been able to draw a meaningful association between LDL and heart disease or early mortality. Meanwhile the these studies have always shown a direct strong correlation between blood triglyceride levels and early mortality. So when you get a blood panel, more important to look at the triglyceride levels than LDL. Hope this helps.

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protoopus t1_j94nk5o wrote

my most recent triglyceride level was 59 and LDL 62, so i'm hoping low is good.

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PLaTinuM_HaZe t1_j94q40g wrote

The important thing is the ratio of your HDL to blood triglycerides. But the ultimate point is that LDL is not the bogeyman it’s made out to be. Most studies claiming things like meat are unhealthy is purely using LDL as the measuring stick to make that conclusion which the actual science shows is not the right parameter to make that distinction. Ultimately if you eat a diet filled with natural and fresh foods devoid of added sugars or processed foods then chances are your health is good.

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