Recent study has discovered that HDL also referred to as the good cholesterol for its ability to prevent the Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from being built up in the arteries, has another important function in addition to its ability to help lowering overall cholesterol.

With the help of two specific proteins, it seems that HDL is able to protect the body from certain type of parasites, these dangerous microorganisms that dwell in the human body, stress the elimination organs, weaken the immune system, deprive the body from its valuable nutrients and can sometimes cause fatal damage.

The HDL enables the distribution and creation of specific proteins found in the human body that together form an immunity shield that has anti-microbial effect against harmful parasites such as the brucei brucei parasite causing the famous Nagana disease among Africans.

Researchers are striving to find whether this unique combination of HDL cholesterol and the two types of proteins will help in preventing other deadly parasites such as these causing Malaria and the parasite the cause the Nagana disease in African cattle as well.

The good HDL cholesterol functions best when its blood level is above 40 mg/dl. Any number below 40mg/dl and HDL is less effective resulting in accumulation of the LDL cholesterol in the arteries, which can later lead to atherosclerosis. There are certain types of foods that raise HDL. There are foods that promote the lowering of HDL and raise the bad LDL cholesterol. A well-balanced low cholesterol diet rich in the former foods and limited in the latter type of foods, combined with regular exercise will eventually result in the lowering of overall cholesterol including a significant rise in HDL cholesterol.