[Blog](https://vittalkamath.com/blog) # Cholesterol 4 May 2026 ## What is cholesterol? A waxy, fat-like substance in every cell. It is essential for making hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that digest fat. **Source:** about 80% is made by your liver, and about 20% comes from food — egg yolks, meat, full-fat dairy, cheese. ## Types - **HDL:** high-density lipoprotein. The “good” cholesterol. It picks up excess cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. - **LDL:** low-density lipoprotein. The “bad” cholesterol. It can deposit in artery walls and form plaque. - **VLDL:** very low-density lipoprotein. Also “bad”. It mainly carries triglycerides, and contributes to plaque. ## Main causes of high cholesterol 1. **Diet:** saturated fats, trans fats, red meat, full-fat dairy, deep-fried and processed foods, excess chocolate. 2. **A sedentary lifestyle.** 3. **Smoking:** raises LDL and lowers HDL. 4. **Excess alcohol.** ## Risk factors 1. **Age:** levels tend to rise as you get older. 2. **Sex:** men often see increases between the ages of 20 and 39; in women, LDL rises after menopause as oestrogen drops. 3. **Genetics and family history.** 4. **Health conditions:** diabetes, chronic kidney disease, HIV, lupus. 5. **Medicines:** steroids, some chemotherapy drugs, certain acne medicines. ## Complications LDL and plaque → the artery narrows or ruptures → clots. If a clot blocks the coronary arteries, that is a heart attack or angina. If it blocks the arteries of the brain, a stroke. If it blocks the arteries of the limbs, peripheral artery disease. ## Management 1. **First line:** diet, exercise and lifestyle. More fibre, oats, nuts, flax seeds, and vegetables like bottle gourd. Less saturated and trans fat. Quit smoking, limit alcohol. 2. **If it persists:** statins are the standard group of drugs, along with continued lifestyle changes. *About 1 to 2 teaspoons of flax seeds and a few slices of raw bottle gourd in a salad help to decrease cholesterol. I have been eating them for the past 20 years.* [All articles](https://vittalkamath.com/blog)