smoking decreases HDL

[mollykins]

I know that smoking decreases your levels of high dnsity lipoproteins, but why? I can't find anything on google that tells me the science behind it.

[mxyzptlk]

looking in the wrong place?

[LazyGun]

Not sure anyone is entirely certain of the exact mechanism. They know that HDL levels tend to be depressed in smokers through observational studies. It is theorised that this might be to do with a decreased tolerance to exercise, since physical exercise is a good way of building up HDL.

Tobacco smoke has many chemicals in it, most of which can be viewed as toxic. If memory serves, one of them, Acrolein, interferes with the mechanism by which HDL hoovers up free cholesterol.

[mollykins]

Thanks for trying lazygun. All the website i look on are usually even vaguer, just saying it does rather than giving the reason why.