What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a lipid (fat-like substance) naturally produced by your liver. It is essential for the production of certain hormones, vitamin D and cell membranes. It is not water soluble and can’t travel through blood. Your body uses lipoproteins to transfer cholesterol. There are two types of cholesterol LDL – cholesterol carried by low-density lipoproteins. HDL – cholesterol carried by high-density lipoproteins. If the level of LDL cholesterol becomes high in your blood it is considered as high cholesterol. If not treated, high cholesterol can lead to many health problems, including heart attack or stroke. LDL cholesterol LDL lipoproteins are also called as bad cholesterol as these carry your cholesterol to arteries and this builds up on their walls leading to plaque formation. This results in blocking the arteries and getting you at a risk of having a heart attack or stroke. According to CDC, more than one-third of the American adults have elevated levels of LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol HDL lipoproteins are also called good cholesterol as it helps return the LDL cholesterol back to your liver so that it can be removed from your body, thus preventing the formation of plaque and protecting you from the risk of heart diseases. Healthy levels of HDL are good for your body as they defend you from high cholesterol levels and risk of blood clots or stroke. Triglycerides Another type...