What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a soft, white, waxy substance
found in the bloodstream. Interestingly enough,
your body needs cholesterol to function; it helps
you digest food and build cells, for example.
But as the saying goes, too much of anything can
be bad. And the same is true about your body's
cholesterol.
Good and Bad Cholesterol
Your doctor or healthcare professional can determine
your total cholesterol level with a simple blood
test. Your total cholesterol is made up mainly
of LDL and HDL cholesterol. LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
cholesterol is often referred to as the "bad"
cholesterol because it can build up within the
walls of your arteries, forming plaque. This plaque
buildup (or atherosclerosis) restricts blood flow
to your heart and brain, increasing your chances
of having a heart attack or stroke.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is
often referred to as the "good" cholesterol because
it helps your body get rid of harmful LDL cholesterol.
In fact, high HDL cholesterol can even reduce
some of the risks of high total cholesterol.
