Cholesterol is a waxy substance that circulates in your blood and attaches to proteins there. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, including brain cells, but high levels of certain forms of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. When cholesterol combines with proteins, the resulting molecule is called a lipoprotein. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the “bad” cholesterol) transports cholesterol particles throughout your body. It can build up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow and causing arteriosclerosis. High-density lipoprotein (HDL, the
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