Definition: Intermediate density lipoproteins, or IDL, are a combination of cholesterol, triglycerides and protein that circulate through the body and transport cholesterol throughout the body. IDLs are a result from the degradation of very low density lipoproteins (VLDLs). IDLs can be further degraded to low density lipoprotein (LDLs), or “bad” cholesterol.
IDLs also have the ability to promote plaque formation in vessels.
