apolipoprotein B

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a protein found in certain particles that carry fats, like cholesterol, through the bloodstream. These particles, called lipoproteins, include low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often labeled as "bad cholesterol." ApoB acts as a structural component and helps in the formation and transport of these particles. Since each LDL particle contains one ApoB molecule, measuring ApoB levels gives an idea of the number of potentially harmful cholesterol carriers in the blood, which can help assess heart disease risk more accurately than just measuring cholesterol levels alone.