Deep Dive into Cholesterol

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.”