Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all animal cells. It is essential for several biological functions, including building cell membranes, producing hormones, synthesizing vitamin D, and aiding in the digestion of fatty foods through bile acids. The body produces all the cholesterol it needs, but cholesterol also enters the body through dietary sources. Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream packaged within lipoproteins like LDL, HDL, and VLDL. High LDL or insufficient HDL leads to accumulation of plaques inside arteries, which narrows arteries and increases cardiovascular risk. Cholesterol itself is not inherently harmful—it is vital for health—but imbalances between its different forms can lead directly to serious diseases such as heart attack or stroke if not managed appropriately through diet, lifestyle changes, or medications when indicated.