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What Are Lipids?

Lipids are fatty, waxy, or oily compounds that are essential to many body functions and serve as the
building blocks for all living cells. Lipids help regulate hormones, transmit nerve impulses, cushion
organs, and store energy in the form of body fat.

The three main types of lipids are phospholipids, sterols (including the different types of cholesterol), and
triglycerides (which account for over 95% of lipids in food). Lipids are found in higher quantities in fried
foods, animal fats, and dairy products like cream, butter, and cheese.

Though lipids are important to your health, consuming excessive amounts in food can lead to diseases
like atherosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries"), hypertension (high blood pressure), and coronary artery
disease.1

This article describes the three main types of lipids and what each of them do. It also explains what
happens when blood lipids are high and how healthcare providers can measure this with a lipid panel
test.

Cholesterol & Triglycerides: What You Need to Know

Types of Lipids and Where They Are Found

The three main types of lipids are phospholipids, sterols, and triacylglycerols (also known as
triglycerides).

Phospholipids

Phospholipids make up the outer layer of cells in the bodies of animals and humans. They create a
protective layer around the cells.

Most people do not have to worry about phospholipids. However, they can cause problems for people
with a rare autoimmune disorder called antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). APS often happens in people
with lupus—especially women.2

A common name for APS is "sticky blood." That's a good description of what happens inside the body
when these key lipids cannot do their jobs.

In people with APS, the proteins on phospholipids get attacked, and the protective layers are damaged.
As APS attacks blood cells and vessels, it increases a person's risk for blood clots that can lead to heart
attacks and strokes.3 APS also may lead to pregnancy complications.2

Understanding Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Sterols

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Sterols are a kind of steroid. Steroids are a group of hormones the body makes using lipids.

You might have heard about plant sterols or phytosterols. These substances are found in foods and offer
many health benefits.4 Phytosterols are similar to the main sterol in humans, called cholesterol.

Most of your body's cholesterol is produced in the liver and the intestines, and about 20% comes from our
diet. Cholesterol is found in every cell in the body and takes part in many important body functions, like
making hormones and vitamin D.5 Cholesterol is also key for making bile salts, the substances that help
the body break down fat and absorb vitamins.6

Since cholesterol is a fat, and is not water-soluble, it requires protein to carry it through the bloodstream.
Cholesterol (and triglycerides) are transported through the bloodstream by particles consisting of lipids
and proteins, called lipoproteins. There are several types of lipoproteins, but the two major ones are high-
density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).5

HDL is called “good” cholesterol because it absorbs cholesterol and brings it back to the liver. LDL is
called “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in the blood vessels.7

Here’s What You Need To Know About LDL Cholesterol

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are the most common type of lipid in our body and come from fats and oils in our diet.
Triglycerides are important because they give us energy.8

The lipids we consume in our diet can be saturated or unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are solid at room
temperature and are typically derived from animal products such as meat, butter, and cheese.
Unsaturated fats are usually liquid at room temperature and are often, but not always, derived from
plants.9

While "lipids" and "fat" are sometimes used interchangeably, fat (a.k.a. fatty acids) is only one type of
lipid.

Unsaturated fats have essentialnutrients commonly knowns as omega-3 fatty acids and are found in
foods like tuna, salmon, nuts, seeds, avocados, and leafy vegetables.10 These unsaturated fatty acids
can help reduce inflammation, blood pressure, and triglyceridesin the body. They also lower the risk of
sudden death from a heart attack and prevent blood clots from forming.11

Trans fats, or "partially hydrogenated oils," are artificially made to have a certain texture desired for
processed foods. They also increase the shelf life of baked goods. Eating foods that contain trans fats
can lead to high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and can lower your HDL (good) cholesterol.12

So, what foods raise triglyceride levels? Actually, it is all of those extra calories we consume from food
and drinks, especially from alcohol and carbohydrates, that end up stored in the form of triglycerides in
our fat (adipose) tissue.8 Over time, if you aren't burning those extra calories, you can develop high
triglycerides and excess fat storage that leads to various metabolic conditions such as obesity, insulin
resistance, diabetes, and even acute pancreatitis.13

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Role of Lipids in the Body
Lipids have a range of functions, including:1

Supporting cells and aiding in essential functions

Protecting nerve cells
Helping the body absorb certain vitamins
Helping produce hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol
Energy storage (in the form of fat)
Structural component of the cells

Nervous System

Lipids are a very important part of your nervous system. One place you'll find lipids is in the fatty tissue
sleeves that protect your nerve cells and increase the conduction of their impulses (myelin sheaths).

Vitamin Absorption

Lipids make it possible for the body to use vitamins.9 Lipids also help the body absorb fat-soluble
vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Here are just a few reasons why your body needs these vitamins:

Vitamin A is needed for the health of your immune system, vision, and reproduction.14
Vitamin D helps with immune health and bone strength.15
Vitamin E boosts the immune system, helps prevent blood clots, and protects cells from unstable
molecules that can cause disease (free radicals).16
Vitamin K promotes bone health. It also allows you to heal safely from injuries by helping your body
form blood clots.17

Fat-Soluble vs. Water-Soluble Vitamins

Hormone Production

Lipids are needed for the production of certain hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol.1
Here are a few important jobs that hormones have:18

Key players in sexual development and reproduction

Help control the immune system and metabolism
Keep water and salt (sodium) levels in the body balanced
Control inflammation and promote healing
Regulate the body's stress response
Regulate circadian rhythms.

Risks Associated With High Lipids

Lipids are essential for your health. However, having too many of them can put you at a higher risk of
medical conditions like liver disease and heart disease.

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Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.19 The World Health
Organization (WHO) estimates that 17.9 million people worldwide die from cardiovascular disease each
year.20

A buildup of LDL cholesterol can clog the arteries (atherosclerosis). These 'clogs' can narrow the opening
of the artery and lead to a heart attack or stroke. High LDL levels are linked to diets rich in saturated fats,
such as fatty or processed meats, cream-based sauces, cheese, deep-fried foods, and processed foods.

In addition to following a good diet, you can help to control your level of LDL cholesterol by keeping an
ideal weight, getting plenty of exercise, and not smoking. These same lifestyle choices can also help
boost your HDL cholesterol, as can including plenty of fish, olive oil, vegetables, legumes, nuts and high-
fiber fruits in your diet.10

Diet for Managing High Cholesterol

Lipid Panel Tests

Your healthcare provider may want you to have a lipid panel test as part of your routine annual physical.
They might also want you to have the test if you are at risk for cardiovascular disease.

A lipid panel is also called a cholesterol test. It uses a blood sample to determine your total cholesterol
levels (overall), LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. From these values, the lab will calculate your cholesterol
ratio.21

The results of your cholesterol test can help your provider determine your risk for cardiovascular disease,
including heart attack or stroke.

What Your Lipid Panel Test Results Mean

Summary
The three types of lipids—phospholipids, sterols, and triglycerides—are needed for many essential
functions in the body. They also offer many health benefits.

Triglycerides and cholesterol may pose health risks if your levels are too high. The foods that you eat can
increase your "bad" LDL cholesterol, lower your "good" HDL cholesterol, and raise your triglycerides,
which can lead to health consequences.

A Word From Verywell

If you're concerned about your lipid levels, talk to your healthcare provider. A lipid panel test will give you
the information that you need to begin making lifestyle changes, like getting more exercise and changing
your diet, to help lower your levels.

When you're looking at the results of your cholesterol test, remember that not all lipids are created equal.
High levels of LDL pose a serious risk to your health, but higher levels of HDL can help get your
cholesterol under control.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where do lipids come from?

Most of the cholesterol in your body is produced by your liver. Triglycerides are mostly derived from
your diet, and excess triglycerides are stored as fat. Your lifestyle choices, including diet, have a
major influence on the production of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Why are lipids used in certain medicines and beauty products?

Cosmetics and skincare manufacturers add lipids to products to improve skin moisturization,
protection, and repair.22 Lipids are added to some drugs to make their effects last longer, improve
how the drug is absorbed, or help the drug target a specific area of the body.23

Cholesterol Ratio: What It Means for Your Heart Health

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