The more savvy of us who were diagnosed with high cholesterol levels, are familiar with the two types of cholesterol: the LDL low-density lipoprotein cholesterol also called the bad cholesterol as it sticks to artery walls causing clogging and narrowing of the arteries, and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol also called the good cholesterol for its ability to cleanse the arteries from excess LDL cholesterol, carry it back to the liver and prevent atherosclerosis. When there is a high ratio between LDL and HDL this is where dangerous conditions related to high blood cholesterol are likely to occur.

With, that in mind, a research made upon 40 people from Limone sul Garda, a village in northern Italy, had showed they had significantly low HDL blood cholesterol levels and in the meanwhile very few of these people had suffered from atherosclerosis or heart disease. In addition to that, increased longevity had been clearly noticed. The common denominator among this village people was a naturally occurring lipoprotein, also termed Apo-I Milano, which they all had.

Since these people had little to no occurrence of atherosclerosis because of the Apo-I Milano lipoprotein, it was assumed by researchers that this lioprotein can in fact delay or prevent atherosclerosis simply due to its ability to mimic the benefits of the HDL cholesterol. Recent studies conducted upon mice and rabits have proved this assumption to be correct as there was in fact a significant reduction in atherosclerosis in less than 48 hours after the Apo-I Milano was injected to the animals.

It seems that the ApoAl molecule found in HDL cholesterol is the key. This molecule is what makes HDL so effective in cleansing and removing LDL cholesterol from the arteries.

When the study of Apo-I Milano lipoprotein was conducted upon humans, the results were even more amazing. In as little as 4-5 weeks after being injected with the Apo-I Milano lipoprotein, a dramatic reduction in plague within the arteries had been observed.

The future holds no barriers as to what the other versions of the ApoAl molecule, beside the Milano version, can do when it comes to mimicking the HDL cleansing properties in lowering LDL blood cholesterol and preventing atherosclerosis.