The world is becoming more health conscious and everything from your frying oil to a bag of crisps seems to be cholesterol free. This makes cholesterol associated with something negative in people’s minds. But what is cholesterol really? In simple terms, cholesterol is a waxy substance that occurs naturally in the blood, cell walls, and most body tissues. Cholesterol is produced by the liver, and it enters the body via foods rich in saturated fat.

There are two known types of cholesterol, also referred to as the “good” and the “bad”.

• Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) is the "bad" cholesterol. This is the form in which cholesterol is transported into the blood causing a thick hard deposit that can narrow arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. The higher the LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, the greater the risk of heart disease. To know the level of LDL in your body you will need to take a simple blood test. A healthy LDL level is one that falls in the optimal or near-optimal range.
• Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL (less than 70 mg/dL for persons with a history of heart disease or those at very high risk for atherosclerotic disease)
  Near Optimal: 100 - 129 mg/dL
  Borderline High: 130 - 159 mg/dL
  High: 160 - 189 mg/dL
  Very High: 190 mg/dL and higher
  Please be aware that at times normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Consult your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
  
  
• On the other hand, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is the "good" cholesterol. This "good" cholesterol carries blood cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be eliminated. HDL helps prevent a cholesterol buildup in blood vessels and breaks down the deposits in arteries. Low HDL levels increase heart disease risk.
  
  
  So in order to keep your cholesterol levels at their best, it is important to limit the amount of saturated fats consumed which are found mainly in meats and dairy products and fried foods.