One of the earliest facts that came to light among doctors and scientists was that people with high cholesterol levels had a higher risk of developing heart disease.

In recent years the experts have come to understand even more about the way cholesterol is involved in heart disease. There are two different types of cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein (LDL), sometimes also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), sometimes referred to as ‘good9 cholesterol LDL cholesterol is the sort that sticks to the artery walls and wises the risk of heart disease. HDL cholesterol, in contrast, is believed to help clear away LDL cholesterol, so high levels of HDL actually lower the risk to the arteries.

One of the earliest steps in the development of atherosclerosis is when LDL cholesterol is oxidized. Oxidization is the process that causes a cut apple to go brown or butter to go rancid. It is caused by the release of free radicals, rogue molecules which damage cells. When LDL becomes oxidized it causes the accumulation of cells known as foam cells. The formation of foam cells marks the transition from fatty streaks into early atheroma.

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