The term cholesterol is one of the most popular medical terms that many people fear, due to the health problems it may cause, but what is cholesterol in the first place? What are its types? Is it always harmful or does it have health benefits? Learn with us from the coming lines about its definition, potential health benefits, and when to visit a doctor to avoid health problems.

What is cholesterol?

It is a waxy, fatty substance that is usually found inside the cells of the body, and the body needs it to manufacture hormones, vitamin D, and some other elements that help in the digestion of different foods. The body usually manufactures the amount it needs, but it can also be found in some foods of animal origin such as egg yolks, cheese and meat.

And in the event that a large amount of it is present in the blood, it can mix with other substances present in the blood, causing the formation of deposits that stick to the walls of the arteries, which cause atherosclerosis and some heart diseases.

Types of cholesterol

Its types include:

1- Good cholesterol HDL

It is what is known scientifically as high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or HDL, and it is called the good kind because its presence at a normal level can protect the body from heart attacks and strokes, as it carries the bad type away from the arteries and returns it to the liver.

2- LDL bad cholesterol

It is what is known scientifically as low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol, and it is known as bad because it contributes to the accumulation of fat in the arteries, which causes the arteries to narrow and this usually results in an increased risk of heart attack and peripheral artery disease.

3-Very low density lipoprotein

It is another bad type that contributes to plaque buildup inside the arteries, and it is known as VLDL, and this type carries triglycerides inside the body. High triglycerides, combined with the good or bad kind, also increases the risk of serious heart disease.

Cholesterol benefits

As we mentioned earlier, blood cholesterol is manufactured inside the body, and it is carried in the blood by substances known as lipoproteins. Its importance and benefits are that the body uses it in the following:

• Building the outer structure of cell membranes.
• It helps manufacture hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and adrenal hormones.
• It helps boost metabolism, as it is one of the essential elements that help the body manufacture vitamin D.
• Aids in the production of bile acids, which aid the body in the digestion of fats and important nutrients.

It is worth noting that all cells in the body need it, as it helps them build the outer membranes, which in turn act as a protective shield that helps protect the contents of the cells, and prevent the entry of any foreign substances into the interior.

When should you visit the doctor?

High cholesterol is one of the most prominent health complications that may occur, and unfortunately in many cases this condition does not result in clear physical symptoms indicating its occurrence, so all health experts recommend not waiting for any health complications to occur until they turn to the doctor, and be careful to check its ratio periodically, to discover No changes ahead of time.

And if you’re under 20, the American Heart Association recommends that you get screened at least once every 4 or 6 years. If there is a previous history of heart problems, the doctor may recommend this test more than once.