You've heard the ads: "Cholesterol comes from Fetuccini Alfredo and from your Grandpa Alfredo".  So, cholesterol is bad - right?   Wrong!  Cholesterol is one of the body's repair substances.  The body uses LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol to patch leaky or porous cells and to repair damage to artery walls.  HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol is used to remove excess LDL cholesterol from the blood.  Their presence in the blood is not, in itself, a problem.  The problem arises when there is damage and resulting inflamation in the lining of the arteries.   Because of the damage, several susbstances, including white blood cells and LDL cholesterol stick to the artery wall.  Your body is trying to repair the damage.  Much of the oxidation or free radical damage is caused by homocysteine, an amino acid normally produced in small amounts by the body but elevated when the body is lacking in vitamins B6, B12 and Folic Acid.