CHOLESTEROL: a steroid alcohol C27H45OH present in animal cells and body fluids that regulates membrane fluidity, functions as a precursor molecule in various metabolic pathways, and as a constituent of LDL. May cause arteriosclerosis.
BAD CHOLESTEROL: LDL; a lipoprotein of blood plasma that is composed of a moderate proportion of protein with little triglyceride and a high proportion of cholesterol and that is associated with increased probability of developing atherosclerosis: called also bad cholesterol, beta-lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein.
GOOD CHOLESTEROL: HDL; a lipoprotein of blood plasma that is composed of a high proportion of protein with little triglyceride and cholesterol and that is associated with decreased probability of developing atherosclerosis; called also alpha-lipoprotein, good cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein.
VLDL: a plasma lipoprotein that is produced primarily by the liver with lesser amounts contributed by the intestine, that contains relatively large amounts of triglycerides compared to protein, and that leaves a residue of cholesterol in the tissues during the process of conversion to LDL; called also very low-density lipoprotein.
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