Cholesterol is vital to all our cells. It must, therefore, be ferried through the blood to every part of the human anatomy. However, cholesterol is fatty and blood is watery. So, the two don't mix. Therefore, to be shipped through the bloodstream, cholesterol must be chemically packaged into microscopic transporting crafts, called lipoproteins.
Lipoproteins come in two types, and each affects our cardiovascular risk in different ways.
LDL-cholesterol can adhere to the artery walls and slowly buildup to block the vessel. HDL transports excess cholesterol to the liver, where it is taken out of harms way. The Role of Diet. Most of the cholesterol circulating in our blood vessels is manufactured by the liver from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. However, fats are the main ingredients in controlling production.