Cholesterol is technically known as lipids or fats. It resembles a waxy powder that is similar to candle wax shavings. It is light yellow in color. All animals require cholesterol to survive. Lipids supplies chemical energy as fuel for the cells that make up our body. And it is responsible for the protective shell or membrane for cells. It is also necessary for digestion and absorption of nutrients from food.

Cholesterol is vital for our sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen, and for vitamin D. Cholesterol is so crucial that our body controls it so closely that if you did not consume enough dietary cholesterol, your body would produce all it needs on its own. Your liver has the capability to convert fats, sugars and proteins into cholesterol for its needs.

Dissimilar kinds of Lipoproteins.

Your bloodstream is the vehicle which delivers cholesterol and other lipids to every cell in the body. Since lipids and blood don't easily mix up well, the body knows to wrap protein around cholesterol particles making it easy to flow through the bloodstream. This is where the name lipoprotein gets its name. Your bloodstream carries many different sizes of lipoproteins which are categorized based on the density or fat composition. Extra fat equals lower density. Less fat and more protein indicates high density. There are actually 4 different fat containing particles in the blood. HDL or high density lipoproteins have the least amount of fat (and triglycerides) and the most protein. The largest and least thick is something called chylomicrons that contain the large amount of fat; specifically triglycerides. The other 2 are LDL or low density lipoproteins and VLDL or very low density lipoproteins. Most of the fat from our diet and the non-cholesterol fat in our bloodstream is triglycerides. Triglycerides are made up of 3 fatty acids and glycerol, an alcohol. Triglycerides are essential for our health and provide a large amount of the energy our tissues require, but too much of a good thing, like cholesterol, can be dangerous to your circulatory health.

How LDL is created

As triglycerides are removed from VLDL and chylomicrons, they become smaller and denser. Finally all that remains is the protein and cholesterol and a minute amount of triglyceride. The liver cleans out the chylomicron and reuses any remnants unlike VLDL which even after it has lost its triglyceride components, continues to circulate. VLDL continues to change and ultimately ends up as LDL particles. LDL holds the majority of our cholesterol. Practically all cells in the body can utilize LDL for their energy requirements. Though there is typically more LDL in the bloodstream than is needed and the liver must clear the excess from the blood. It may utilize it for more bile acids for digestion or as new lipoproteins. If the liver cannot keep up with the extra LDL, it results in being deposited in places it does not belong.

HDL, the Savior

High density lipoproteins are known as the "good" cholesterol and for valid reasons. HDL is also made in the liver and intestines but it is very dissimilar than LDL. There is a high concentration of protein and not much fat in HDL. The two main roles of HDL are to supply chylomicrons and VLD the protein component that allows the liver to recognize they need to have their fat extracted. HDLs also act as scavengers and brings together excess cholesterol from blood vessel linings and other areas to be transported to the liver to discard it.

Learning About Your Cholesterol Levels
The waxy substance in the human body known as cholesterol comes primarily in two basic forms, HDL and LDL. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is often referred to as the good cholesterol, while LDL, or low density lipoprotein, is the undesirable form of cholesterol.

Defining A Reduced Cholesterol Diet And How To Design One Just For You
The best low cholesterol diet, and there are many good ones to choose from, is the one you can stick to. In order to have a cholesterol lowering diet, you will need to watch the amount and types of fats you eat as well.

Risk Factors For Developing Heart Disease
Cholesterol awareness has become a very popular topic over the past 10 years or so. It seems that once we reach age 40, we are all tracking our cholesterol numbers as close as we watch our waist lines. Unfortunately both seem to increase after 40.

What Is The Cause Of Excessive Cholesterol?
For most people, the cause of high cholesterol is poor lifestyle choices such as diet and our level of exercise, which can be modified. Both men and women can strive to attain and maintain a normal level of cholesterol, get their levels checked and take prompt action if needed.