How Cholesterol is Packaged

Because Cholesterol is a type of fat, and fat won't dissolve in water or blood, the liver makes up two types of special packaging for it. The first one we know as "low density lipoprotein", or LDL, and consists mainly of cholesterol with some protein and triglycerides. Its main function is to carry cholesterol from the liver out to the cells. Each cell has a receptor, or door, that will open and let the LDL in.

However, if the diet is high in cholesterol and saturated fats, the cell may already have enough cholesterol, and so it won't open the door. That leaves the LDL travelling around the bloodstream looking for an open receptor. In this case blood cholesterol levels will rise, and high blood cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and gall stones.

The other type of packaging made up in the liver is called "high density lipoprotein", or HDL, which contains less cholesterol than LDL, but has more protein. The main function of HDL is to return cholesterol to the liver where it is broken down and made into bile. If we have high levels of HDL in the bloodstream, plenty of cholesterol is removed from the cells. This leaves room so that they can then receive new supplies from the LDL, and so not leave it travelling around the bloodstream. High levels of HDL in the blood are associated with decreased risk of heart and blood vessel disease.

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