Nandipa wishes to maintain her heart health, strictly follows a plant.

Hi Experts,
Although I have got this question right, by simply using a process of elimination, I still don't understand the correct answer choice. From my perspective:

A- is irrelevant, since I have been given that HDL is good, and I have to find out that whether she needs more of it or not, and A doesn't provide any info that will allow me to get to the answer
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B- I can't understand it, but sure I will keep it 'till the end

C-more info about HDL - is irrelevant, I need to know whether its necessary

D- it is as C, irrelevant. The question is about HDL levels, not how good is a plant-based food and its benefits

E- Same as the last two answer choices, there can be a million foods that have good cholesterol, the question is whether it is necessary

My analysis is pretty vague, I believe, but I still can't understand the answer choice B, how it related.
Please help.

B directly impacts the argument.
Let's read it closely
B. The benefit of HDL is strictly due to its effect on LDL levels
It says HDL will have benefits . How ? Due to its effects on LDL level. It means if LDL level is not favorourbale then even you have HDL it would have no value. If effect of LDL level is good then HDL adds benefits on top .
In summary:
If LDL level < not in optimal range then eating HDL has no benefits
If LDL level = optimal level then HDL has benefits

Which of the following, if true, should be most significant for Nandipa in determining whether to add such foods to her diet ?
For B:
YES: Nandipa has already LDL in optimal range, so adding HDL food may not be required .
NO: It would increase HDL level then it may add value on high blood level, so adding HDL fruits should be required


Is it clear?

B] say that, The benefit of HDL is stricly due to HDL's effect on LDL levels

I dont know whether the effect is good or bad. How do I draw inferences from this option?

From Webster's dictionary:
benefit = something that produces good effects
Since B refers to the BENEFIT of HDL, its effect on LDL levels must be GOOD.

Hi GMATGuruNY

How does the choice below helps to explain that more or less HDL is needed for the body to maintain less levels of LDL?

At its core, this is a PLANNING argument.

Plan: To consume foods such as chicken or fish that would increase the blood level of HDL.
Goal: To maintain heart health.

According to the passage, Nandipa's LDL level is already within the range considered optimal for heart heath.
OPTIMAL for heart health = at the BEST level for heart health

According to B, HDL has only ONE benefit: its effect on LDL levels.
Thus, Nandipa has no reason to increase her HDL, since her LDL is ALREADY at the BEST level for heart health.

Breaking down option B:

HDL's benefits are strictly caused by HDL's effect on LDL levels

HDL's effect on LDL levels strictly causes HDL's benefits

Understanding the argument -
Nandipa wishes to maintain her heart health, strictly follows a plant-based diet and has successfully maintained her blood level of LDL, ''bad'' cholesterol at well within the range considered optimal for heart health. Fact
But she is worried that her blood of HDL, ''good'' cholesterol, is lower than is often considered optimal for heart health, and has thus considered consuming foods such as chicken or fish that would increase her blood level of this beneficial substance. - Premise and conclusion.

The question stem asks us to determine what should be most significant for Nandipa in determining whether to add such foods to her diet.
What makes her decide whether to add fish or chicken to her diet to raise HDLs or not?

Option Elimination-

A. HDL can help to protect against the accumulation of plagues (fatty deposits) in the arteries - It's good to know. But firstly, LDLs are already in the range, and secondly, HDLs are good, and we know it. Moreover, she has already considered adding it, and this shares the positives. What we need is if something could make her drop the new diet plan.
B. The benefit of HDL is strictly due to its effect on LDL levels - oh, ok. We know HDLs are good. This explains that they are good only because of their effect on LDLs, but we know her LDLs are already low. So why change her diet? So this option tries to say, you know fish is good, increases HDLs, and HDLs are good, but by the way, HDLs only affect LDLs, and your LDLs are already low. This can make her change her decision.
C. The body produces all of the LDL it needs; so it is unnecessary to consume food containing this form of cholesterol - We are concerned about HDLs here. Distortion.
D. Plant-based diets reduce the sum of both ''good'' and ''bad'' cholesterol - We are concerned about chicken and fish and weather to take it or now. Distortion.
E. There are other good besides chicken or fish that can increase the level of good cholesterol - other sources are out of scope.