Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and has important natural functions. It is manufactured by the body but can also be taken in from food. It is waxy and fat-like in appearance.It is oil-based and so does not mix with the blood, which is water-based. It is therefore carried around the body in the blood by lipoproteins.
The parcels of cholesterol are carried by two types of lipoprotein:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL carried by this type is known as ‘bad’ cholesterol)
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL carried by this type is known as ‘good’ cholesterol).