Hypercholesterolemia or dyslipidemia results from increase intake of fatty foods especially those derived from animal sources.
LDL cholesterol or the bad cholesterol is the main culprit in antherosclerosis or hardening of the blood vessels. It is the prime target for cholesterol lowering interventions.
Among patients with metabolic syndrome or frank diabetes mellitus, elevated triglyceride and low HDL-cholesterol (the good cholesterol) are the common lipid abnormalities.
These lipid abnormalities respond to dietary modification (low fat intake) and regular aerobic exercise.
For the non-responders to these interventions and for those who are considered high risk, drug intervention may be required=.
The role of HDL or good cholesterol needs to be emphasized as well.
HDL is involved in the so-called reverse cholesterol transport where it plays a role in the transporting bad cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol_ form blood vessel wall back to the liver for excretion.