Lipids and CVD

two types of lipids

saturated and unsaturated

saturated lipids

• mainly found in animal fats

• higher melting point

• no double bonds between carbon atoms

• every carbon is bonded to at least 2 hydrogens (saturated)

• chains can be more tightly packed together - intermolecular forces are stronger

unsaturated lipids

• mainly found in plants

• lower melting point

• double bonds between carbon atoms

• causes the chain to have kinks

• chains less closely packed - intermolecular forces are weaker

What is cholesterol?

• A type of lipid made in the body

• Needed for body to function

• Needs to be attached to a protein to move around - lipoproteins

two types of lipoproteins?

HDL and LDL (high and low density lipoproteins)

HDL

High density Lipoproteins

• mainly protein

• transport cholesterol from body tissues to liver where it is recycles and excreted

• function : reduce total blood cholesterol when levels are too high

LDL

Low Density Lipoprotein

• mainly lipids

• transport cholesterol from liver to the blood

• function : increase total blood cholesterol when levels are too low

How is cholesterol and lipids linked to CVD?

High total blood cholesterol and high levels of LDLs are linked to an increased risk of CVD

• increase cholesterol is thought to increase atheroma formation