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What Is High Cholesterol?

By , About.com Guide

Updated November 05, 2008

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Question: What Is High Cholesterol?
Answer: High cholesterol comes from the accumulation of a fat like molecule, cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a fatty molecule that is made in the liver and released into the bloodstream. Although cholesterol can contribute to heart disease, its presence is also vital to many functions within the body. For instance, cholesterol gives strength to the membranes of cells, which compose tissues and organs within the body, line nerve cells, and serve as a precursor for steroid hormones like estrogen, aldosterone, and testosterone.

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