Cholesterol Sources

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is part of your body’s cells and helps you make vitamin D and certain hormones. It can be obtained from
both the liver (known as “blood cholesterol”) and foods (known as “dietary cholesterol”.

Liver: Blood cholesterol is produced by the liver.
Foods: Dietary cholesterol is found in animal
sources such as meat, poultry, milk products,
eggs, and shellfish.

There are two types of cholesterol:

LDL Cholesterol ("Bad Cholesterol"): LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque build-up in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease

HDL Cholesterol ("Good Cholesterol"): HDL cholesterol helps protect your arteries by lowering the amount of plaque in your bloodstream

The goal is to lower LDL cholesterol if it is too high and raise HDL cholesterol if it is too low.

To maintain healthy cholesterol levels, consider the following recommendations:

Include fiber-rich foods in your diet.
Consume unsaturated fats, such as those found in nuts, seeds, and oils like olive and canola oil.
Limit foods high in saturated fats, such as fatty cuts of meat, butter, and full-fat dairy products.
Avoid foods containing trans fats, including commercially baked goods, fried foods, and processed foods.

For more personalized guidance, consult with a healthcare professional or dietitian.