 Cholesterol is a part of all human and animal cells. Your body makes cholesterol so you don't need to add it to your diet. Cholesterol is contained in all animal products such as meat, milk, and eggs, the muscle and fat of red meat, and the skin of poultry. It is not found in plant products such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, grain, or beans. Your genetic makeup and the total fat you consume determines your cholesterol level. Too high of a blood cholesterol level can increase your risk for heart disease.
Two simple carriers of cholesterol found in your blood are high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Lipoproteins are packages of fat, cholesterol, and protein. LDLs contain less protein and more fat and cholesterol than HDLs. LDLs carry most of the cholesterol in the blood and they tend to deposit it in the arteries. HDLs tend to remove cholesterol from the arteries. Reducing your intake of saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet can help lower the LDL levels in your blood. Exercising more can help raise the HDL levels in your blood. A blood cholesterol level of 240 milligrams per deciliter of blood (240 mg/dl) or greater is considered high blood cholesterol. Any level above 200 mg/dl increases your risk for heart disease. Visit your doctor or a clinic to have your blood cholesterol measured. If your blood cholesterol is high you should generally set a goal to lower it to a total level below 200 mg/dl and an LDL level below 130 mg/dl. Your doctor will want to measure your progress. If your level is desirable you should have it checked again in 5 years and maintain a low cholesterol diet. The following factors can have an influence on your cholesterol level: Diet, Exercise, Genetics, Sex, Age, Alcohol, Stress
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