HDL (high-density lipoprotein), the so-called good cholesterol, may protect your liver by blocking inflammatory signals from common gut bacteria. HDL is known for mopping up cholesterol in the body and delivering it to the liver for disposal.
In a new study (Enterically derived high-density lipoprotein restrains liver injury through the portal vein | Science (sciencemag.org) from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, researchers identified a special type of HDL called HDL3. When produced by the intestine HDL3 blocks gut bacterial signals that cause liver inflammation which in turn prevents liver disease.
Even though HDL is considered good cholesterol, drugs to increase HDL levels have fallen out of favor in recent years because the increase showed no benefit in heart disease. This recent study suggests revisiting this approach which holds promise for protecting against liver disease, which is also a major chronic health problem.
