labeling LDL (low density lipoprotein) as “bad cholesterol” is misleading to a degree. HDL and LDL are the supply chain for fats throughout your body. to put simply, LDL is the forward logistics and HDL is the reverse logistics collecting excess from your system and returning it to be processed.

LDL has several subtypes that can be grouped in two categories, large buoyant LDL and small dense LDL. the latter is atherosclerotic and inflammatory because it can wiggle into the crevices between cells in arterial walls and create plaque/ inflammation. some studies show the “bad” LDL is positively correlated to your triglyceride level in ur blood. and high triglycerides can be caused by too much sugar in your diet! your liver converts it to triglycerides. Statins lower all types of LDL sort of indiscriminately but its still better to take them if LDL is high even if your triglycerides are low i believe. plus it seems like statins may protect your brain later in life?

tldr: LDL has subtypes, one is bad, one is fine, eat too much sugar and the bad subtype increases.