According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cholesterol is used by the body for a variety of purposes, including the synthesis of bile acids, cell membranes, vitamins and hormones. However, a high cholesterol level can also increase your risk of heart disease, states the AHA. The body can make its own cholesterol, and it can also be obtained through the diet.
Identification
Dietary cholesterol is cholesterol that's found in food rather than synthesized by the body. It's chemically the same substance, and has the molecular formula C27H46O, according to 3Dchem.com. Cholesterol belongs to a class of compounds known as lipids, which includes fats, fat-soluble vitamins and waxes.
Lipoproteins
Dietary cholesterol binds to lipoproteins in order to transport them through the blood, according to the AHA. The health risks of cholesterol in the blood primarily depend on the type of lipoprotein it's bound to. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) transport cholesterol from the blood to the liver, and are therefore known as "good" cholesterol; low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) transport cholesterol from the liver to the blood, and are therefore known as "bad" cholesterol.
Intake
The average adult will normally make approximately 1,000mg of cholesterol each day, according to the AHA. The recommended daily intake of dietary cholesterol is primarily determined by your risk for heart disease. The AHA advises to consume 200 to 300mg of dietary cholesterol each day if you have a normal risk for heart disease, and eat less than 200mg of dietary cholesterol if you have an increased risk for heart disease.
Natural Sources
According to the AHA, the highest sources of dietary cholesterol are animal products, especially organ meats. Red meat such as beef and lamb is generally high in cholesterol, as are cooking oils made from animal fat. Dairy products like whole milk, butter and cheese are also high in cholesterol. Egg yolks contain large amounts of cholesterol, although the whites are generally free of cholesterol.
Artificial Sources
Hydrogentated oils don't occur in nature, but are also a common source of dietary cholesterol, according to the AHA. These types of oil are solid at room temperature and therefore don't turn rancid as quickly as natural oils. Baked goods such as cookies, pies and cakes are typically made from hydrogenated oils, and are therefore high in cholesterol.
