What is Cholesterol? And Why is it Necessary?

What is Cholesterol

It’s true, you need cholesterol.

This soft, waxy substance is found not only in your bloodstream but also in every cell of your body, where it helps in the production of cell membranes, hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that assist you in digesting fat.

Cholesterol also aids in the formation of memories and is vital for neurological function.

Your liver produces about 75 percent of the cholesterol in your body^[i] and according to conventional medicine

There are two types:

1. High-density lipoprotein or HDL: This is the so-called “good” cholesterol that helps keep cholesterol away from the arteries and removes excess arterial plaque, which may help prevent heart disease.

1. Low-density lipoprotein or LDL: The so-called “bad” cholesterol circulates in the blood and according to conventional thinking, it may accumulate in the arteries, forming plaque that makes the arteries narrower and less flexible (a condition called atherosclerosis). If a clot forms in one of these arteries leading to the brain or heart, it could cause a stroke or heart attack.

Those that also count towards total cholesterol are:

• Triglycerides: Elevated levels of this dangerous fat have been linked to heart disease and diabetes. It is known that triglyceride levels rise from eating many grains and sugars, being physically inactive, smoking, drinking alcohol excessively, and being overweight or obese.
• Lipoprotein or Lp (a): Lp (a) is a substance made of “bad” LDL cholesterol plus the protein (apolipoprotein a). Elevated levels of Lp (a) are a significant risk factor for heart disease. This has been well established, yet few doctors check these levels in their patients.