You may have heard of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the so-called good cholesterol found along with omega-3s in fish oil, eggs and certain dietary supplements. You may also be aware of low-density lipoprotein, the correspondingly bad cholesterol that is more likely to stick in blood vessels. But have you heard of methylglyoxal-modified (MGmin) LDL?

If not, buckle up. Scientists at the UK’s University of Warwick recently announced that MGmin-LDL is “stickier” than typical LDL, making this newly discovered form of cholesterol “ultra-bad.”

MGmin-LDL is formed when regular cholesterol is given an extra sugar group, a process called glycation. Laboratory tests showed that MGmin-LDL is more likely to stick to arterial walls, meaning that this ultra-bad cholesterol may be closely tied to cardiovascular disease.

The research team noted that the existence of MGmin-LDL may explain why metformin, a type 2 diabetes medication, appears to reduce the risk of heart disease. The drug lowers blood sugar, which may reduce the amount of glycation that occurs in the body.

For individuals who are interested in improving their circulatory health without resorting to prescriptions, vitamin supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids may contribute to better cardiovascular condition.