A waxy, fat-like substance that the body needs for cell membranes, steroid hormones, bile acids, and other biological functions.
The body produces cholesterol, mainly in the liver, and also obtains some from food. Because cholesterol does not dissolve freely in blood, it is transported in particles called lipoproteins.
Different lipoproteins have different relationships with cardiovascular risk. Elevated levels of certain cholesterol-containing lipoproteins, particularly LDL cholesterol, can contribute to atherosclerotic plaque formation.
QUICK FACT
Cholesterol itself is not inherently harmful; the body requires it. The health concern depends largely on its amount, how it is transported, and the broader cardiovascular context.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Triglycerides: another type of blood lipid that stores energy; triglycerides and cholesterol are different substances.
SEE ALSO
