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Glossary

Lipids (in the blood)

Lipids are fatty substances found in the blood that can be used by the body to transport some vitamins and are an energy source. The blood lipids include cholesterol and triglycerides. Some lipids enter the body through what we eat. Some are created within the body itself.

Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Particle composed of fat (lipid) and protein that transports fats through the bloodstream. LDLs specifically transport (a lot of) cholesterol from the liver to the tissues of the body. They can leave behind cholesterol deposits (plaques) on artery walls, and contribute to atherosclerosisOxidized LDLs have been implicated in the development of cardiovascular diseases.

High density lipoproteins (HDLs) do the opposite. They clean the artery walls and remove extra cholesterol from the body, thus lowering the risk of heart disease.

Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI)

An estimate used in the U.K. as a standard of the amounts of each nutrient needed by different groups of people in the population to maintain good health. The LRNI is the amount of a nutrient that is enough for only the small number of people who have low requirements (2.5%).The majority need more.