Cholesterol and the Body
Cholesterol is an essential for many of our body's functions; however, unhealthy amounts can cause blockages in our arteries increasing the risk of heart attacks. Cholesterol also cannot float freely in our blood stream. This is because our blood is similar to water, and so this fat must be packaged into spherical particles (called lipoproteins) to be transported from one place to another. These lipoproteins have names, but LDL and HDL are the most talked about.
LDL cholesterol is what physicians refer to as "bad" cholesterol, and typically speaking, higher LDL-C levels are associated with high risks of heart attacks or strokes. This is because they deposit extra cholesterol on the artery walls, promoting the formation of plaque, creating a narrowed passage way.
However, HDL-C is considered "good" cholesterol, so the higher the HDL-C count, the lower the risk of heart attacks or strokes. This is because HDL-C scrape away necessary LDL-C from the walls. However, a high HDL-C value does not necessarily mean a patient will never have a heart attack or stroke.
Most of the cholesterol in our blood was not consumed form our food, but produced in the liver. While every cell in our body can make cholesterol, the liver is the main production and removal site. So when the liver is not properly functioning, cholesterol numbers can be especially high and dangerous.
