Lipoproteins play an important role in your health by carrying lipids, or fats, through your bloodstream. Special proteins, called apoproteins, wrap around the lipids to form lipoproteins. These lipoproteins transport the lipids to all of the cells in your body.

1. chylomicrons
2. very low-density lipoproteins, or VLDL
3. low-density lipoproteins, or LDL
4. and high-density lipoproteins, or HDL

Chylomicrons serve as the initial transport mechanism, moving lipids through the intestinal wall. The chylomicrons, then carry the lipids to the bloodstream.

You may have heard of LDL and HDL, both of which serve to transport cholesterol through your bloodstream. VLDL, or very-low density lipoprotein, is also important, because one of its functions is to help carry triglycerides throughout your body.