Cholesterol is a fat-like substance and a component of all cells. The body mainly produces cholesterol in the liver, and we also consume cholesterol through food. Cholesterol is an important building material for cell walls, a starting material for vital hormones and a basic material for the formation of bile acids.
To assess cholesterol levels, it is important to differentiate between LDL and HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is also popularly known as “harmful” cholesterol because it distributes cholesterol throughout the body. HDL ("good" cholesterol) is responsible for transporting excess cholesterol from the organs to the liver and thus prevents it from being deposited on the vessel walls. The basic rule is that LDL cholesterol should be as low as possible, while HDL cholesterol should be as high as possible.
