Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is required by the body to produce new cells, provide insulation to nerves, and in the production of hormones. In the human body, the liver is responsible for producing all the cholesterol that the body cells need. The body also obtains cholesterol through diet. Animal based foods contain a lot of cholesterol and may cause excessive cholesterol deposition in the body. Too much cholesterol can lead to heart diseases and is not advised.

If the amount of cholesterol in the body exceeds the normal levels, the cholesterol gets deposited in the blood vessels. Gradually, as more and more cholesterol gets deposited on the walls, arteries become hardened. This is called atherosclerosis. The blood vessels also become narrow and the amount of blood flowing to the heart gets reduced considerably. The blood is the chief carrier of oxygen in the body. So, when the amount of blood flowing to the heart is reduced, the heart muscles do not receive proper amounts pf oxygen. This may cause chest pain and may also lead to heart attack.


Cholesterol is of two types: Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and High density lipoprotein (HDL). LDLs have lower amount of protein and higher amount of cholesterol and considered as bad cholesterol. On the other hand, HDLs have higher amount of protein and lower amount of cholesterol and considered as good cholesterol. Cholesterol travels through the blood in these forms.


LDL is the main cause of plaque formation in the arteries. On the other HDL actually helps in reducing cholesterol from the blood. The blood contains another form of fat—Triglycerides. Triglycerides are also known to cause heart disease if present in higher levels in the blood.


Cholesterol does not have any symptoms and so most people do not know that they have high blood cholesterol levels. It is very much important to know one’s cholesterol numbers. Cholesterol numbers are found out using a test called Lipid profile. Everyone who is above the age of 20 should get his/her cholesterol levels tested at least once in every five years.


Cholesterol is affected by a variety of factors like:

Diet: If the intake contains higher levels of cholesterol, the cholesterol levels in the body will rise.
Weight: Higher body weight increases the levels of cholesterol in the body.
Exercise: Regular exercise can decrease the cholesterol levels in the body.
Age and gender: Cholesterol levels in the body increase with age. Older aged people tend to have higher levels of cholesterol in the body.
Heredity: The amount of cholesterol the body makes depends upon genetic factors. So heredity plays an important role in cholesterol levels.
Medical conditions: Some medical conditions like hypothyroidism, liver disease and kidney disease increase the cholesterol levels in the body.
Medications: Medications involving use of steroids increase the levels of cholesterol in the body.
Treating high cholesterol involves lowering the amount of LDL and increasing the level of HDL in the blood. Eating food that contains less saturated fat, exercising regularly and decreasing body weight can contain cholesterol. Cholesterol lowering medications are also available. Drugs that are commonly used to lower cholesterol levels are

Statins: These drugs block the production of cholesterol in the liver.
Niacin: Niacin lowers the LDL levels and increases the levels of HDL.
Bile-acid resins: These act in the intestine and do not allow the body to reabsorb bile. As bile contains a significant amount of cholesterol, the body loses cholesterol this way.
Fibric acid derivatives: These breakdown triglycerides and decrease the secretion of certain triglycerides.
In addition it is very important to regularly visit the doctor. Only the doctor can clearly diagnose the conditions and give proper treatment. Playing doctor in these regards is not advised.