Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is produced as a normal function in your liver and other organs. It is also absorbed from foods such as red meat, cheese, butter, eggs and offal. Your body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to make cell membranes, insulate nerves and produce certain vital hormones.
The notion of 'good' and 'bad' cholesterol comes from the way it's carried around in the body. There are two types of carriers called 'lipoproteins' - low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL).
LDL transports cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body. When there's more LDL cholesterol in the blood than the body needs, the LDL dumps the cholesterol in body tissues, such as the walls of coronary arteries where it can be harmful to the heart. That's why LDL cholesterol is called 'bad' cholesterol.
HDL scavenges and transports surplus cholesterol from the body tissues back to the liver where it is broken down and passed out of the body. That's why HDL cholesterol is called 'good' cholesterol.
There are many changes you can make to your diet and lifestyle to help manage your cholesterol.
- Keep to a healthy weight appropriate to your age, build and sex.
- Avoid smoking.
- Eat more fruit and vegetables - at least 5 portions per day.
- Eat less saturated fat by choosing lean meat, reduced fat dairy products and limiting biscuits, cakes and foods cooked in saturated fats.
- Take regular exercise.
- Moderate alcohol intake.
