It may surprise you to know that cholesterol itself isn't bad. In fact, cholesterol is just one of the many substances created and used by our bodies to keep us healthy. Some of the cholesterol we need is produced naturally (and can be affected by your family health history), while some of it comes from the food we eat.

There are two types of cholesterol: “good” and “bad.” It’s important to understand the difference, and to know the levels of “good” and “bad” cholesterol in your blood. Too much of one type — or not enough of another — can put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

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• What is cholesterol?
• The sources of cholesterol
• LDL and HDL cholesterol: what's bad and what's good?
• What can cholesterol do?
• Women and cholesterol
• Children and cholesterol
• Take the cholesterol quiz
• Common misconceptions about cholesterol
• Personal stories