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high-density lipoprotein

high-density lipoprotein

4.1
A part of the blood that carries cholesterol and helps lower heart disease risk
  • noun
  • /haɪ ˈdɛn.sɪ.ti ˌlaɪ.pəˈproʊ.tin/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lipoproteína de alta densidad
  • They raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but the effect on TC and LDL is small and variable.
  • high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
  • high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
  • high-density lipoprotein levels

Examples

  • She has a cholesterol level of 6.8 and a high-density lipoprotein value of 0.9.

    Academic text (2012)
  • A full lipid profile typically measures cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride levels. (See Box 1 for normal values.)

    Academic text (2015)
  • HDL = high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

    Academic text (2012)
  • HDL = high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Compared with active children, inactive children weigh more, have higher blood pressure, and have lower levels of heart-protective high-density lipoproteins.

    Academic text (2012)
  • HDL = high-density lipoproteins; LDL = low-density lipoproteins. LDL Cholesterol > 100 Optimal 100-129.

    Academic text (2014)
  • High levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

  • Doctors recommend checking your high-density lipoprotein levels to assess heart health.

  • A diet rich in healthy fats can increase your body's high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Synonyms

HDL
vshigh-density lipoprotein
  • Specialized
11 3.2

A type of good cholesterol in the blood that helps remove fat from arteries

is the full technical name rather than the short form
alpha-lipoprotein
vshigh-density lipoprotein
  • Specialized
7.2

A particle in the blood that carries cholesterol and helps protect the heart

emphasizes general transport and lower disease risk rather than cholesterol amount

Antonyms

1 5.1

A small particle in the blood that carries cholesterol and increases heart disease risk when levels are high

Surface Forms

Morphology

high-density + lipoprotein

This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase: 'high-density' (high + density) modifies 'lipoprotein' (a protein that carries lipids), so the meaning is a lipoprotein that has relatively high density (more protein vs. lipid). A B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer this technical but predictable relationship, and the modifier-noun logic is cross-linguistically regular.

Etymology

High-density lipoprotein comes from its literal parts: high-density means packed and heavier, and lipoprotein is a small carrier of fat and protein in the blood. Because these dense carriers pick up extra cholesterol and take it away from blood vessels, they are the 'good' kind that help protect the heart.