Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of your body. It helps produce hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid in digestion. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, but it's also found in certain foods, especially animal products like meat and dairy. Cholesterol travels through your bloodstream in lipoproteins, with two main types: LDL (low-density lipoprotein), often called "bad" cholesterol, which can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, and HDL (high-density lipoprotein), known as "good" cholesterol, which helps remove excess cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy balance is important for heart health.
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Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood and every cell in your body. It's essential for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help digest food. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, but you also get it from certain foods, especially animal products. Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream in lipoproteins: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called "bad cholesterol," can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good cholesterol," helps remove LDL from the bloodstream. Maintaining balanced cholesterol levels is crucial for heart health.