👉 Cholesterol is a type of fat that is produced by the liver in humans and other mammals. It is essential for maintaining healthy blood vessels, but excess cholesterol can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. The level of cholesterol in your bloodstream determines how much it will be able to enter cells and where it goes. Too much cholesterol can lead to the formation of plaques in arteries, which can restrict blood flow and cause atherosclerosis, or hardening