Good heart health used to be simple, raise your HDL and lower your LDL and you’ll lower your risk for heart disease. New research from the Cleveland Clinic, however, shows that inflammation plays a role in causing some HDL – long considered to be the “good” cholesterol – to become a negative rather than a positive for cardiovascular health. 

The researchers say their study indicates that increasing HDL – “good” cholesterol – is not necessarily the best way to reduce risk for cardiovascular disease.  According to lead researcher Dr. Stanley Hazen, the study “provides really solid evidence that there are different kinds of HDL, and some of them are harmful.”

The bottom line is that inflammation wreaks havoc on overall health. Healthcare professionals have relied upon HDL for brain health and heart health for years, but even HDL can be turned into something harmful.