Cholesterol

Essential, made in-house

What does Cholesterol do in your body?

A waxy molecule every cell needs for membranes, hormones, vitamin D and bile. Your liver makes most of it.

How it works, step by step

1. The liver builds cholesterol from acetyl-CoA.
2. It's packaged into lipoproteins and sent out.
3. Cells take up LDL when they need cholesterol.
4. HDL carries excess back to the liver to become bile.

What does Cholesterol do?

Stabilizes cell membranes and is the starting material for steroid hormones, vitamin D and bile acids.

Where does Cholesterol act in the body?

Every cell; carried in blood by lipoproteins (LDL, HDL).

Which foods contain Cholesterol?

The liver makes most of it. In food it's found only in animal products (eggs, shellfish, meat, dairy).

How much Cholesterol do adults need?

No dietary requirement — the body makes enough.

Can you get too much Cholesterol?

High blood LDL cholesterol is a major cause of atherosclerosis. Saturated and trans fats raise LDL more than dietary cholesterol does for most people.

What is known and unknown about Cholesterol?

LDL's causal role in heart disease is strongly established. The effect of dietary cholesterol varies between people.

Evidence & sources

• LDL cholesterol causes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Evidence: strong. Known: Consistent evidence from genetic, epidemiologic and randomized trials. Unknown: Individual risk depends on many factors. Source: Ference et al., European Heart Journal (EAS Consensus), Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (2017).

Connected topics

• Fat
• Saturated Fat
• Trans Fat
• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Vitamin D
• Blood Vessels
• Oats
• Egg

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General education only, not medical advice. Drafted Oct 2026 · pending qualified expert review.