One of the major risk factors for heart disease is high total blood cholesterol. Blood cholesterol is found in every body cell. It is a major component of all cell membranes and is used to make essential molecules such as hormones, fat-soluble vitamins, and bile acids to help with digestion. It is made in the liver and has many important functions such as keeping the walls of your cells flexible and is also needed to make several hormones.
Molecules called lipoproteins transport cholesterol, fat and fat-soluble vitamins in the blood. There are three different types of lipoproteins containing triglycerides. The two lipoproteins that we are most familiar with are HDL (high-density lipoproteins or good cholesterol) and LDL (low-density lipoproteins or bad cholesterol).
High levels of HDL is considered good. The HDL removes LDL from bloodstreams and carries it back to the liver where it is processed and sent out of the body. High levels of LDL can result in cholesterol deposits in blood vessel walls. This can lead to clogged arteries, strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure. The third one is VLDL (very low-density lipoproteins or bad cholesterol). It builds up plaque in the arteries and increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Dietary cholesterol is found in
