How can cholesterol be carried in our hydrophilic bloodstream?

Cholesterol is a hydrophobic lipid, so it cannot dissolve directly in the hydrophilic bloodstream. Instead, it is transported in the blood within lipoproteins, which are complexes of lipids and proteins. These lipoproteins, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), encapsulate cholesterol in a way that allows it to be soluble in the aqueous environment of the bloodstream. The protein components of lipoproteins help interact with the watery blood, facilitating the transport of cholesterol to and from cells throughout the body.