All You Need To Know About Cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance called a lipid that is important to aid the normal functionality of the body. Cholesterol is produced mainly by the liver but can also be found in foods. Cholesterol is carried in your blood by proteins which when combined are called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins, the 'good' protective high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and the 'bad' harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Cholesterol can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke and TIA.
Cholesterol is both our friend and foe - at normal levels, it is an essential substance for the body's normal functioning, but if levels in the blood get too high, it becomes a silent danger that puts us at risk of a heart attack.
In this article we will take you through what cholesterol is, the causes and symptoms of high cholesterol and how health professionals diagnose the condition. We will also discuss the available treatments for high cholesterol and changes that you can make to help reduce your cholesterol levels.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and has important natural functions. It is manufactured by the body but can also be taken in from food. It is waxy and fat-like in appearance.^1-3
Cholesterol is oil-based and so does not mix with the blood, which is water-based. It is therefore carried around the body in the blood by lipoproteins.^1-3
The parcels of cholesterol are carried by two types of lipoprotein:²

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL - cholesterol carried by this type is known as 'bad' cholesterol)
High-density lipoprotein (HDL - cholesterol carried by this type is known as 'good' cholesterol).

Cholesterol has four main functions, without which we could not live. It:^1,3