Cholesterol: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 12, 2026

News •

The ‘slam dunk’ that wasn’t: Promising cholesterol drug fails to prevent heart attacks or stroke • Nov. 7, 2026, 9:50 AM ET (NBC)

For decades, we were told to avoid full-fat dairy. New research says otherwise • Nov. 6, 2026, 12:53 AM ET (Science Daily)

Stronger cholesterol treatment shrinks more plaque in heart arteries, new clinical trial finds • Nov. 5, 2026, 9:37 AM ET (Medical Xpress)

Gene editing could replace a lifetime of medication, but there's a catch • Nov. 3, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (Science Daily)

Facts

Also Known As	5-cholesten-3β-ol

Photos and Videos

Structural diagram of a cholesterol molecule showing its four-ring steroid nucleus, labeled A through D, a hydroxyl group, and a hydrocarbon side chain branching from the main structure.

atheromatous plaque

Detailed diagram of a plasma membrane's lipid bilayer showing two layers of phospholipid molecules with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails inward, embedded cholesterol, integral (intrinsic) proteins spanning the membrane, peripheral (extrinsic) proteins attached to the surface, and sugar side chains extending from the outer face.

A detailed cross-section illustration of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) complex shows a spherical structure with a phospholipid monolayer, embedded apoprotein (apoB-100), and internal components such as cholesteryl esters, free cholesterol, and triacylglycerol molecules.

Detailed diagram showing the transport of lipoproteins in the human body, illustrating how dietary fats and cholesterol are absorbed in the small intestine, packaged into chylomicrons, and transported through lymphatic vessels and the bloodstream. The diagram traces the conversion of chylomicrons to VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL particles, highlighting their roles in fat and cholesterol delivery, storage, and recycling, with labeled pathways to the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue, and includes cellu

biosynthesis of steroid hormones

How does alcohol affect cholesterol and heart disease?

Why you should know your cholesterol levels

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Topics

low-density lipoprotein familial dysbetalipoproteinemia high-density lipoprotein bile acid Lipoprotein familial hypercholesterolemia hypolipidemic drug gallstone statin Triglyceride Ergosterol

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Key People

Robert Burns Woodward, 1966

Robert Burns Woodward

American chemist

Brown, Michael S.

Michael S. Brown

American geneticist

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Joseph L. Goldstein

American geneticist

Konrad E. Bloch.

Konrad E. Bloch

American biochemist

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Feodor Lynen

German biochemist

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Rudolf Schoenheimer

German biochemist