Cholesterol is an organic molecule and a type of steroid that is known as sterol. Cholesterol is the principle sterol synthesized by animals. It is an essential structural component of animal cell membrane and is required to maintain integrity and fluidity. It is an oil-based component found in the body and hence is not soluble in blood, which is known to be water based. Carriers named lipoproteins in our blood help in the transportation of cholesterol in our body. The main functions of cholesterol in our body are:

• Cholesterol helps to build digestive bile acids in our stomach and intestines
• It helps in the production and absorption of vitamin D
• It facilitates the body in producing certain hormones
• Cholesterol is the primary component in the wall structure of a cell.

Cholesterol also helps in intracellular transportation, nerve conduction and endocytosis. It is also necessary for the release and regulation of hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. Specific researches have also shown cholesterol to be a partial antioxidant. Cholesterol is oxidized by the liver to form a variety of bile, which aid digestion.

Cholesterol is extremely important to the proper functioning of our body but only if consumed in the right quantities. Crossing or exceeding the limits of consumption can cause major diseases and complications in the body.

The condition of having a high percentage of cholesterol in your body is known as Hypercholesterolemia or dyslipidemia. This is the major reason behind Coronary heart diseases and heart complications. High level or presence of LDL in your body leads to its build up in arteries and other passages, whereas HDL carries it to the liver for it to be disposed and passed out of the body. As a result of cholesterol build up in arteries, we develop a condition or rather a complication called Atherosclerosis. In this complication, formation of plaque takes places, blocking the normal flow of blood in and out of the heart and creating immense pressure.