What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance manufactured and used by the human body to maintain good health. Liver naturally creates about 75% of the cholesterol the body needs; the rest is obtained through animal products and the foods. Excessive amounts of cholesterol in the blood stream can result in plaque buildup in the arteries, which increases risks for coronary heart disease and heart attacks.
We cannot live without cholesterol. It is needed to maintain a healthy brain, insulate the body’s cells, and help the body absorb vitamin D. Moreover, it is an essential enzyme in digestion.
Keeping cholesterol in check can be a challenge for some people. Cholesterol can be affected by many different factors including diet, weight, exercise, age, diabetes, heredity, and some medications as well as medical conditions which can all cause elevated cholesterol levels.
The main components checked in our Cholesterol Test are Total Cholesterol, HDL/high-density lipoprotein or “good” cholesterol, the ratio between Total Cholesterol and HDL, LDL/low-density protein or “bad” cholesterol, triglycerides or the amount of “fat” carried in the blood, and finally, glucose level or “sugar” reading in the blood.