Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a sterol, a combination steroid and alcohol. It is found in the cell membranes of all body tissues, and is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. The term bad cholesterol has been used to refer to cholesterol contained in LDL (low-density lipoprotein) which is thought to have harmful actions in the body including atherosclerosis. The term good cholesterol refers to cholesterol contained in HDL (high-density lipoprotein) which is thought to have beneficial actions in the body.