Cholesterol

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is transported in the bloodstream by lipoproteins, and it plays an essential role in the formation of cell membranes, hormones, and vitamin D. Cholesterol is vital for our health.

However, too much of it can be a bad thing. When the amount of cholesterol in the blood becomes too high, it can lead to the formation of plaque in the arteries that can cause heart disease and stroke.

There are two types of cholesterol - LDL and HDL. HDL is known as "good" cholesterol, and it's important to have HDL levels above 1 mmol/L for men and above 1.2 mmol/L for women. On the other hand, LDL is "bad" cholesterol, which can cause artery blockage and increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. Your LDL levels should be below 3mmol/L and the total cholesterol levels should be less than 5 mmol/L.