What is cholesterol?
16 February 2025
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance present in every cell of your body. Your body requires some cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid in food digestion. The body produces all the cholesterol it needs. Cholesterol is also found in animal-based foods like egg yolks, meat, and cheese.
If there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it can mix with other substances to form plaque. This plaque adheres to the walls of your arteries, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can result in coronary artery disease, where the coronary arteries become narrowed or even blocked.
What are HDL, LDL, and VLDL?
HDL, LDL, and VLDL are types of lipoproteins, which are a mix of fat (lipid) and protein. The lipids need to attach to the proteins to travel through the blood. Each type of lipoprotein has a specific function:
• HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. It's often called "good" cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from your body. It carries cholesterol from other areas back to your liver, where it is then eliminated.
• LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. It's sometimes referred to as "bad" cholesterol because high levels of LDL can cause plaque to build up in your arteries.
• VLDL stands for very low-density lipoprotein. VLDL is also considered "bad" cholesterol as it contributes to plaque buildup in your arteries. However, VLDL and LDL are different; VLDL primarily carries triglycerides, while LDL mainly carries cholesterol.