Transporting Fat: Lipoprotein Functions
Each type of lipoprotein serves a specific function, and many have more than one. The primary functions of different lipoproteins are listed below.
| Lipoprotein | Primary function |
|---|---|
| Chylomicron | Transport fat and cholesterol absorbed in the gut to the rest of the body. |
| Chylomicron remnant | Transport remaining fat and cholesterol to the liver. |
| VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) | Supply the body with fat synthesized in the liver. |
| LDL (low-density lipoprotein) | Supply the body with cholesterol. |
| HDL (high-density lipoprotein) | Collect excess cholesterol from the tissues and transport it to the liver. |