Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your body required to create essential substances such as sexual hormones and digestive bile. When ingested in large amounts in your diet, it also poses a significant threat to the normal function of your heart and blood vessels. The cholesterol native to your body is produced in your liver and small intestine.
LDL Production
Cholesterol comes in two basic forms: low-density lipoprotein---also known as LDL or "bad" cholesterol---and high-density lipoprotein---also known as HDL or "good" cholesterol. Production of LDL in your liver begins with the creation of a related substance called very low-density lipoprotein, or VLDL, according to the University of Washington. Initially, VLDL molecules contain an energy-rich substance called triacyglycerol. Over time, enzyme activity in your liver strips away triacyglycerol, and in response, VLDL particles collapse together and become more compact. The end result of this compacting process is LDL cholesterol.
Cholesterol Uses
Once your liver produces LDL, it releases this cholesterol into your bloodstream, where it migrates to cells throughout your body. Depending on the location of these cells, LDL cholesterol then becomes a building block for a number of vital substances. In addition to the male hormone testosterone and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, Discovery Health lists examples of cholesterol-containing substances in your body that include the adrenal gland hormones cortisol and aldosterone, as well as vitamin D.
HDL Production
HDL cholesterol is produced in your liver and small intestine, the University of Washington reports. When you have too much LDL cholesterol in your cells or bloodstream, HDL acts as a collector, gathering up excess LDL and transporting it back to the liver. Once LDL reaches the liver, it is eliminated from your body in the form of bile or related substances called bile salts. In addition to the activities of HDL, your liver can eliminate excess LDL or other forms of lipoproteins from your body directly.
Excessive Cholesterol
Roughly 75 percent of the cholesterol in your bloodstream comes from your body, according to the American Heart Association. The remaining 25 percent comes from eating animals or animal products. In some cases, excessive intake of cholesterol-rich foods can dangerously elevate your blood levels of LDL. In other cases, your own body can create excessive amounts of LDL as a result of genetic predisposition. Having too much LDL and/or too little HDL in your bloodstream can significantly raise your risks for a heart attack or stroke.
Triglyceride Production
When you eat more food than you need, your body also creates another blood-borne fat called triglycerides, the Mayo Clinic reports. Once created in your bloodstream, triglyceride molecules are held in your fat cells as an energy resource between meals. If you eat a diet high in fat and/or carbohydrates, your body may produce excessive amounts of triglycerides, leading to an additional risk to your heart health called hypertriglyceridemia.
