What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood of all humans and animals. It is produced by the liver and has a granular appearance. It is also an important component of the plasma membrane (PM) of mammalian cells.

Cholesterol and Diseases

Clinical data suggests that high Cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart disease. With normal cholesterol levels, cholesterol is fluid in the blood vessels; with high cholesterol, fatty deposits appear in the blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits build up and make it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries. If these deposits completely block the blood vessels, they may suddenly rupture and form a blood clot, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

What foods are high in Cholesterol?

The development of high cholesterol is usually associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. The most common is the consumption of excessive amounts of high cholesterol foods, including: 

• Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed meats like sausage

• Full-fat dairy, like cream, whole milk, and butter    
  

• Baked goods and sweets

• Fried foods

• Tropical oils such as palm oil and coconut oil
  

• Butter
  

• barnyard egg
  

In addition, poor lifestyle habits such as staying up late, drinking and smoking can also lead to high cholesterol levels, which may be associated with reduced cholesterol metabolism.

Therefore, consuming more low cholesterol foods, maintaining a good lifestyle, exercising more, as well as regular medical check-ups can slow down the risk of high cholesterol on a daily basis.