About Cholesterol
You have probably heard of the term cholesterol and how it can influence your heart health. There are different types of cholesterol which have different effects on your body. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a type of cholesterol which transports cholesterol from your blood stream back to your liver.
This helps to keep your arteries clear of cholesterol and promotes optimal heart health. You may be surprised to learn that the health promoting roles HDL cholesterol does not end there. This form of cholesterol also supports normal functioning of the mitochondria in your muscles. Mitochondria are the fuel or powerhouse of a cell; without mitochondria the cell cannot function.
New research on humans provides evidence to support the impressive health benefits of HDL cholesterol in your body. Researchers used a cross-sectional study design using thirty-one healthy adults without any heart disease or diabetes. 42% were female adults, and the average age was 40 years old. Average body mass index was 23.9 which is classified as a normal weight.
Researchers found a significant correlation between levels of HDL cholesterol and muscle mitochondria function. In contrast to this finding there was no correlation between mitochondria function with levels of blood glucose, insulin levels or triglyceride levels.