Cholestorol

Your body uses cholesterol for various functions, such as holding cells together and making hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help digest foods. Cholesterol is contained in animal products, including meat, eggs, cheese, and whole milk. Plant-based food products such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains do not contain this substance. Cholesterol comes from two places. Your body actually makes most of what it needs in the liver. The rest comes from the foods you eat.

 

Your body needs this substance to work properly; however, too much can cause problems. Having too much of it in your blood is known as high cholesterol. It is estimated that 40 million Americans are affected by this condition.

 

A blood cholesterol test is used to determine your cholesterol level. Most healthcare providers recommended that a person have a fasting cholesterol test every five years. However, a person with risk factors for heart disease should have this test more frequently.