A fat-like substance that is found in certain foods and is also produced in
the body.
Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream in different packages called
lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL
or "bad" cholesterol) deliver cholesterol to the body, while high-density
lipoproteins (HDL or "good" cholesterol) take cholesterol out of the
bloodstream.
The body uses cholesterol in a number of ways, for example, to produce bile
acids that help you digest fat.
Cholesterol is important to health. However, too much cholesterol in the
bloodstream can be unhealthy; it builds up in the artery wall and can influence
the development of coronary heart disease.
