Learn what is Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the blood stream and in all your body cells. The cholesterol in a person’s body originates from two major sources—dietary intake and production in the liver.

When fatty foods are ingested the cholesterol particles from the food enter the small intestine. The luminal surface of the small intestine is covered by small projections called villi, which absorb the cholesterol particles and transport them into the blood stream. The cells in the liver use an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase for synthesizing cholesterol.

Cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood but is carried to the cells via lipoproteins—Low Density Lipoproteins or LDL and High Density Lipoprotiens or HDL. Excessive LDL can clog arteries causing heart attacks or strokes. HDL is generated by the body to remove cholesterol from the blood stream and reduces the risk of heart attack or stroke. Statins are the most widely used medication for lowering cholesterol. These are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that reduce the body’s internal cholesterol production.


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