Everyone has some cholesterol in their blood, as the substance is necessary for good health. A normal cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dL when your blood is drawn after a fast, according to the American Heart Association, while more than 240 mg/dL is an unhealthy level. Some of your cholesterol is made internally, and some comes from what you consume.
Definition
Cholesterol is a substance your body needs to make hormones and vitamin D, as well as to build up cell walls and make the bile salts that your body uses to digest fats. You can produce this waxy substance yourself, although most people also get cholesterol from what they eat. Your liver manufactures about 1,000 mg every day, which is enough to meet your needs.
Dietary Sources
About 150 to 250 mg of cholesterol is absorbed through your intestines from what you eat, in addition to the amount made by your liver. Virtually everything you eat contains some fat, including vegetables, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Certain fats are good for you, while others raise your cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are the main culprits and are found in foods like dairy products, meat and coconut oil. Trans fats are also unhealthy and come in solid fats and oils that can be heated for deep frying. Some foods, like eggs, contain cholesterol. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are good for you and do not raise your cholesterol levels.
Effects
Cholesterol from any source is bad for you when you have too much. High cholesterol levels cause the substance to build up on your artery walls, making them narrower. Your blood flow eventually decreases, resulting in a condition called atherosclerosis. This raises your risk of a heart attack or stroke, depending on where the narrowing is located. Blood flow to other organs can also be impeded when your arteries are badly blocked.
Considerations
Cholesterol made by your body or taken in through your diet is not the only risk factor for high levels of the substance in your blood. Your age, weight and genes also play a role. You are more prone to high cholesterol if you smoke, do not get enough exercise or have diabetes or high blood pressure, Mayo Clinic advises. You can lower your level by altering your diet, as well as by losing weight and exercising regularly. Doctors prescribe medication for patients who are unable to normalize their cholesterol levels with lifestyle changes alone.
References
- Harvard School of Public Health: Fats and Cholesterol: Out With the Bad, In With the Good
- AgriLife Extension; How the Body Produces & Uses Cholesterol; October 2007
- TeensHealth; Cholesterol and Where It Lurks; December 2009
- MayoClinic.com; High Cholesterol: Risk Factors; June 2011
- MayoClinic.com; High Cholesterol: Lifestyle and Home Remedies; June 2011
- American Heart Association; What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean; July 2011
