Cholesterol Impacts Your Overall Wellness Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of your body. While often portrayed as a health villain, cholesterol is actually essential for many bodily functions, including hormone production , vitamin D synthesis, and building healthy cell membranes. The key lies in maintaining a proper balance between good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol levels. When cholesterol levels are too high, particularly LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, it can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues. Conversely, low HDL, the “good” cholesterol, reduces your body’s ability to remove excess cholesterol, which also affects heart and vascular health. Cholesterol doesn’t just impact the heart. Imbalanced levels can influence brain function, as cholesterol is vital for nerve cell integrity and neurotransmitter signaling. It also affects liver function, as the liver produces and regula...