What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an essential fatty substance found in all of the body's cells and transported throughout the body via the bloodstream. It's either produced by the liver or absorbed from the foods you eat.

Although too much fat in the blood poses a health risk, your body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to perform several important functions, such as maintaining cellular structures and transmitting nerve impulses.

Is cholesterol hurting your heart? Take this quiz to find if it's a risk factor for you.

Your Genes

Genetics partly determine how much cholesterol your liver produces. Genetics also influence how much your intestine absorbs from cholesterol-containing foods (eggs, meat, dairy) and how much your body excretes. Ask your doctor these 7 questions about your cholesterol.

Your Diet

What you eat plays a significant role in not only how much cholesterol you absorb directly from food but also how much your body produces. For example, a diet high in cholesterol may cause too much cholesterol to be absorbed into your bloodstream. And a diet high in saturated fat may cause your liver to produce too much cholesterol.

The liver produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body (plenty for your body to function optimally), while the remaining 20% is absorbed directly from the foods you eat.

Add these 10 cholesterol-lowering foods to your shopping cart.