What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in your blood. Your body actually needs cholesterol — it helps build cell walls, make vitamin D, and create hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
But here’s the tricky part: too much cholesterol in the wrong places can cause serious health problems.
Think of cholesterol as traffic on a highway — a little bit keeps things moving, but too much causes a traffic jam that can block the flow.
Types of Cholesterol
- LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) – “Bad Cholesterol”
- Carries cholesterol to your arteries.
- Too much leads to buildup, creating plaques that block blood flow.
- Raises risk of heart disease and stroke.
- HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) – “Good Cholesterol”
- Acts like a cleanup crew.
- Carries cholesterol away from arteries to the liver, where it’s broken down.
- Higher HDL levels help protect your heart.
- Triglycerides
- A type of fat in your blood.
- High levels + high LDL = extra risk for heart disease.
Why Is Cholesterol Important?
⚡ Cell Health → Builds and repairs cell membranes.
🌞 Vitamin D Production → Your body uses cholesterol + sunlight to make vitamin D.
🧬 Hormones → Needed for making estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol.
💓 Heart Health → Balanced cholesterol keeps your arteries clear.
Health Problems from High Cholesterol
When cholesterol levels get out of balance:
- Atherosclerosis → arteries harden and narrow.
- Heart attack → blocked blood flow to the heart.
- Stroke → blocked blood flow to the brain.
How to Keep Cholesterol Healthy
🥑 Eat heart-healthy fats → olive oil, avocado, nuts, fatty fish.
🥦 Add fiber → oats, beans, fruits, and veggies help lower LDL.
🏃 Stay active → exercise raises HDL and lowers LDL.
🚭 Don’t smoke → smoking lowers your good cholesterol.
⚖️ Maintain healthy weight → extra pounds raise bad cholesterol.
Fun Fact 🌟
Your liver makes about 75% of the cholesterol in your body — only about 25% comes from food. That means even if you cut out all cholesterol-rich foods, your body still produces it!