Summary Cholesterol is a white, waxy substance that always takes part in building each cell in the human body. The role of cholesterol in the normal functioning of the human body has been known for a long time, however, it is mainly due to its elevated levels and the health risk of it. It is less well known that low serum cholesterol levels are associated with serious health problems. When it comes to intensive care unit (ICU) patients, hypocholesterolemia may indicate infectious complications, impaired hepatic synthesis, significant bodily injury. Surgical patients are judged for operative trauma and perioperative stress, as well as for the resuscitation process.