What is Cholesterol? What are triglycerides?
Cholesterol and triglycerides are two forms of lipid, or fat. Both cholesterol and triglycerides are necessary for life itself. Cholesterol is necessary, among other things, for building cell membranes and for making several essential hormones. Triglycerides, which are chains of high-energy fatty acids, provide much of the energy needed for cells to function. Where do cholesterol and triglycerides come from? There are two sources for these lipids: dietary sources, and endogenous sources (i.e., manufactured within the body). Dietary cholesterol and triglycerides mainly come from eating animal products and saturated fat. These dietary lipids are absorbed through the gut, assembled there into special packets called chylomicrons, and then are delivered through the bloodstream to the liver, where they are processed. One of the main jobs of the liver is to make sure all the tissues of the body receive the cholesterol and triglycerides they need to function. Whenever possible (i.e., for about
