Your cholesterol levels are important because they help you know your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) that helps your body perform many important functions.

Mar 13, 2026 · Learn about cholesterol levels, what is good and bad cholesterol, the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol, and more.

Apr 25, 2025 · We explain what healthy cholesterol levels are for adults and children. Also, learn about lifestyle changes and medications to help lower your cholesterol.

Mar 7, 2025 · Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. The body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells. But high levels of cholesterol can raise the risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, …

Cholesterol is the principal sterol of all animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils. [3][4] Cholesterol is biosynthesized by all animal cells [5] and …

Apr 29, 2022 · Cholesterol is a fatty substance that occurs naturally in the body. It performs several vital functions. It is needed to make the walls surrounding the body's cells, and is the basic material that is …

Managing high cholesterol starts with your diet. Learn what foods to eat and what to avoid helping lower your cholesterol and improve your heart health.

May 15, 2024 · Key points Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Millions of people in the United States have high cholesterol. Optimal total blood cholesterol is 150mg/dL.

Apr 9, 2026 · New recommendations suggest that some people should start trying to lower their cholesterol as early as age 30.

Apr 17, 2024 · Learn more about what cholesterol is, how it affects the body, and how it is measured.