Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is needed for the normal functioning of the body.

Cholesterol is an essential part of cell membranes and helps with the digestion of fats.  It is made by the body but it is also found in fatty foods.

Eating foods that are high in saturated fat will raise cholesterol levels in the blood.

Cholesterol is carried around the body by proteins called lipoproteins.  There are two types:

• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) called ‘bad cholesterol’.
• High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) called ‘good cholesterol’.

Too much bad cholesterol and saturated fat in the body can build up in arteries and cause heart disease. Good cholesterol may actually help to protect against heart disease.