Cholestrol Check

Cholesterol is present and needed in every cell of your body. However, your risk of cardiovascular disease goes up considerably if you have too much of this fatty, waxy substance in your blood. High blood cholesterol level can lead to plaque deposits, which narrow your arteries and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Your liver makes about 80 percent of the cholesterol in your body and the rest comes from eating animal products. Like nutrients, cholesterol is transported throughout your body in your bloodstream which affects your cholesterol level. For this to happen, your body coats cholesterol with a protein. This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often referred to as bad cholesterol, the type of cholesterol that causes the above-mentioned problems.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is often called good cholesterol because it helps clean cholesterol from your blood vessels.

Triglycerides is the chemical term for fat. Triglycerides are the fats found in food, as well as in your body and blood. Your body makes triglycerides from excess calories, sugar, and alcohol.