17 April 2025
1. What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is:
• Essential for life. Every cell in your body needs it.
• Produced mostly in the liver (about 75%); the rest comes from food.
• Used to make:
• Cell membranes (for fluidity and structure)
• Steroid hormones (e.g. estrogen, testosterone, cortisol)
• Bile acids (to digest fats)
• Vitamin D
Important:
Cholesterol is not inherently “bad”—problems only arise when levels become unbalanced or carried by the wrong lipoprotein types.
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2. What Are Lipoproteins and Their Association with Cholesterol?
Since cholesterol is not water-soluble, it cannot travel freely in the blood. It is packaged into lipoproteins—particles made of fat and protein—to be transported throughout the body.
Main Types of Lipoproteins:
LDL - low density lipoproteins - carries cholesterol from liver to tissue
HDL - high density lipoproteins - carries excess cholesterol from body to liver
VLDL - very low density lipoprotein - Carries triglycerides. Changes to LDL once Triglycerides are removed
Chylomicron - transport dietary fat
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4. Key Takeaways
• Cholesterol is not the enemy—your body needs it to function.
• It’s the type and carrier (lipoprotein) that matters.
• Aim to reduce excess LDL, raise protective HDL, and lower triglycerides.
• A healthy lifestyle and targeted nutritional support (like VigourCells) can help maintain optimal lipid balance and protect your cardiovascular health.
Key Clarification:
• LDL and HDL are not cholesterol. They are carriers (transport vehicles).
• The cholesterol inside LDL or HDL is the same—it’s the carrier’s behavior and direction of travel that makes them “good” or “bad.”