Types of Cholesterol

Cholesterol travels throughout the body in little packages called lipoproteins which are made up of blood fats called lipids and proteins. There are two main types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol:

1. High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) – The healthy kind of cholesterol it mops up excess cholesterol found in the blood and takes it back to the liver for processing.
2. Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) – The unhealthy type of cholesterol responsible for buildup in the body.

Places where cholesterol builds up in the body:

• In the blood vessels
• Around major organs e.g. liver and heart
• Underneath the skin in cells called adipose tissue (mainly in the waistline)

Use of cholesterol in the body

Cholesterol is used in hormone production and in production on vitamin D.

Effects of excess cholesterol on the body

Cholesterol has been linked to the following diseases

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Atherosclerosis

For additional information email wellness@jubileekenya.com

By Jubilee Insurance