What is cholesterol?
This fatty substance is present in the bloodstream and in all your tissues and cells. It's necessary for human life and is made in the body by the liver. |
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What are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are another important lipid in the body. They are composed of three fatty acids linked together. |
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Where do cholesterol and triglycerides come from?
There are two main sources of cholesterol and triglycerides – the diet and that which is manufactured by the body. |
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Other lipids
There are many other lipids in the body besides cholesterol, each with its own special attributes, functions and potential problems. |
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How lipids move around
Body components, including lipids, are continually being formed, degraded and replaced – a process that often entails transport of biological compounds between tissues. |
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LDL ("bad") cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is very rich in cholesterol and, in excess, is the main cause of coronary and other artery disease. |
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HDL ("good") cholesterol
An increased level of HDL cholesterol is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease. Conversely, low levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk. |
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Why high cholesterol levels are bad
When levels of LDL are high, the lipoprotein tends to stick to the lining of the blood vessels, leading to the development of atherosclerosis. |
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Triglycerides and heart disease
Triglycerides are usually measured as part of a standard blood lipid profile. But what do the results mean? |
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Measuring lipoproteins
The lipoproteins have historically been the focus of research into the causes of atheroclerosis and coronary artery disease, and are still important to our understanding. |
