Cholesterol is a substance produced in all of us that is necessary for us to live, but having too much cholesterol can be very dangerous, and one of the most common health risk in the United States is high cholesterol. Staring a cholesterol diet that will reduce the amount of this substance in the body is very beneficial and often necessary for optimal health. However, in order to understand what makes up a healthy cholesterol diet, one must first understand what cholesterol is and how it can benefit the body as well as what happens when there is too much cholesterol, and the health risks associated with it.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is both a steroid produced in the body and fat. The liver or the intestines produce cholesterol to aid in the production of cell membranes and hormones. Some cholesterol is required in order to create the proper structure of cell membranes, and it also assists in the manufacture of bile, an acid which helps to digest food, and several other uses. So, even though we cannot live without a certain amount of cholesterol in our bodies, it has been shown in studies for decades that an overabundance of cholesterol can damage arteries and causes heart disease. That is why a diet that allows you to lower your cholesterol levels is very important.