Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all the cells in the body. It is essential for good health, as the body needs it to perform important jobs such as building cells and making hormones and vitamin D. Cholesterol is biosynthesized by all animal cells and is an essential structural component. The liver makes all the cholesterol the body needs, and the remainder comes from foods from animals such as meat, poultry, and dairy products.
There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as "good" cholesterol. LDL cholesterol transports cholesterol particles throughout the body and can cause plaque buildup in the arteries, leading to heart disease or stroke. HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to the liver.
High levels of cholesterol in the blood, especially when bound to LDL, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as unhealthy eating habits, inactivity, and obesity can contribute to harmful cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and kidney disease can also cause unhealthy cholesterol levels.
To maintain healthy cholesterol levels, it is important to check cholesterol levels regularly, change diet and lifestyle to help improve levels, and control cholesterol with help from a doctor if needed.
