What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance which is found in all cells of the body. The body can manufacture all the cholesterol it requires for all the processes it is involved in.
Important cholesterol facts
- The body uses cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and help with digestion of food
- Is necessary in creating bile
- Forms every part of every cell
Why cholesterol is important
Cholesterol travels in the blood packaged with a protein (called a lipoprotein) – the type of lipoprotein that is packaged is indicative of heart health.
LDL cholesterol – low density lipoprotein
- Often referred to as “bad cholesterol”
- High levels of LDL in the bloodstream lead to a buildup of bad cholesterol in arteries and this can lead to heart disease
HDL cholesterol – high density lipoprotein
- Often referred to as “good cholesterol”
- HDL gathers up other cholesterol from the body back to the liver to be removed from the body
- High levels of HDL are an excellent indication for reducing the risk of heart disease