Cholesterol is a fatty lipid, steroid and an alcohol found in the body tissues and blood plasma of vertebrates. It is the cardinal part of the outer membranes of human body cells and it circulates in the blood of humans. Cholesterol in the human body comes from t-wo major sources – diet, and the liver, -where it is produced internally.

High cholesterol in the blood is considered to be unhealthy. The cholesterol levels in the bloodstream can influence the pathogenesis of certain conditions, such as the development of atherosclerotic plaque and coronary artery disease. It gets collected on the -walls of arteries and interferes -with the flo-w of blood. This buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessels may constrict the passages considerably and inhibit the flo-w of blood to and from the heart.

Recent researches have revealed that the abundance of protein complexes, called lipoproteins is responsible for the cholesterol buildup in the blood vessels. Elevated levels of bad cholesterol (lo-w density lipoprotein or LDL), is responsible for heart disease.

Cholesterol in your diet:

A high cholesterol diet is considered an un-wholesome diet. Diets -which is rich in animal fats, meat, poultry, fish, oils, egg yolks and dairy products, is a rich source of cholesterol. organ meats, such as liver, is extremely rich in cholesterol. A diet high in cholesterol is fatal for the heart.

Healthy diets is considered effective to lo-wer cholesterol. A lo-w cholesterol diet contains extremely lo-w or no cholesterol at all. Diets of plant origin is the best lo-w cholesterol diets.

Fat is the major source of energy for the body, but excessive fat in the diet is dangerous. The excess fat raises blood cholesterol levels. It’s bad for the circulatory system and causes heart attack or stroke. The amount of fat and cholesterol in a diet should just be according to the daily calories required by the body. Thus a perfectly balanced diet is considered a healthy diet.

A perfect lo-w cholesterol diet has the follo-wing features:

• It’s lo-w in fat (especially saturated fat).
• It contains lo-w cholesterol.
• It contains lo-w sodium contents.
• It’s rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates.
• It’s usually a lo-w calorie diet.

Besides taking lo-w cholesterol diets, sugar and alcohol consumption should also be reduced, as they contribute to high cholesterol levels.

Avoid eating at fast food restaurants, because fast foods is usually high in fats and sodium.

Regular exercise can also reduce cholesterol levels.

Recent studies have revealed that certain deepsea fish mackerel, salmon, herring, albacore tuna, and lake trout contain an oil called omega3 fatty acid that may help to lo-wer blood cholesterol.