We often hear that cholesterol is bad for our health, but that’s not entirely true! Essential for the body to function, cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that helps in the building of cell membranes. Cholesterol also plays a role in the production of bile acids, a substance that aids in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins, steroid hormones and vitamin D. Bad cholesterol VS Good cholesterol As cholesterol is not soluble in the blood, it has to be transported by some special carriers known as lipoprotein. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol from the liver to the cells and causes cholesterol to build upon the walls of the arteries. This leads to health complications, hence LDL is also termed ‘bad cholesterol’. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as ‘good cholesterol’ as it carries excess cholesterol from the cells to the liver. This prevents the deposition of cholesterol on arterial walls. Causes of high cholestero