Cholesterol is an essential element in the body. Among other things, it is present in all cells walls, forms the backbone of sex hormone molecules, and is abundant in the intercellular structures that hold cells in place.

The problems with cholesterol occur when the body loses the ability to balance the ratios of the various cholesterol molecules, namely HDL, LDL, and VLDL.

Cholesterol is a type of lipid or fat. It is insoluble in water and blood unless it is coated in water-soluble proteins. The body coats all cholesterol molecules with protein in the liver to make them soluble in blood; they are then called lipoproteins (or literally "fat proteins").

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) carry cholesterol away from the liver and out into the body to become part off at deposits or to be used structurally. Because these lipoproteins can acumulate in arterial plaque or fatty deposits in organs or fatty tissues, they are considered to be "bad" forms of cholesterol. High density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered to be "good" cholesterol because it brings back fat to the liver from the body organs and, theoretically, even from arterial plaques where it has been deposited.

Most people with cholesterol problems have too much "bad" LDL or VLDL and not enough "good" HDL. The consumption of catechins allows the body to improve this imbalance. Studies show that HDL levels risc, while is theoretically advantageous and protective, in animals and people who ingested catechins.

Once again, the effects were dose-dependent. Additionally, other studies (preclinical) showed that the body can use catechins to reduce or down-regulate the pancreatic secretion of lipase, the enzyme responsible for digesting dietary fat. this process could, theoretically, reduce the total amount of fat absorbed from the gut. As well, another study demonstrated that catechins decreased the intracellular accumulation of fat by decreasing adipocyte differentiation.

A study with proanthocyanidins suggested the body uses these nutrients to regulate the amount of "bad" cholesterol produced by the liver.

The results of all these studies shed light on how the mangosteen phytonutrients could be used by the body to re-regulate the lipid-handling processes which have gone awry.