Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat present in the blood. It is partly introduced through the diet and partly produced autonomously in the liver and intestine. As a key component of the cell membrane, cholesterol is involved in the production of hormones, bile acids and vitamin D. Two types of cholesterol can be distinguished for clinical purposes: HDL and LDL. HDL protects blood vessels, whereas elevated levels of LDL in the blood may cause atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.