Cholesterol, its function in the body, and how our diet can help or hurt our blood cholesterol levels
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body needs to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. It is not inherently a bad substance, but too much cholesterol can lead to severe health problems.
When you have too much cholesterol in the system, it will show up as fatty deposits in your blood vessels. These then grow and restrict blood flow through the arteries. When this build-up suddenly breaks away, clot forms, which can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Cholesterol comes from two sources; your liver which makes all the cholesterol you need or your diet, from animal food sources e.g. meat, poultry, and dairy products. These foods, which are high in saturated and trans fats, cause your liver to produce more cholesterol than it usually would.