Although cholesterol is often thought of as a “bad thing”, the truth is that cholesterol also has purposes important to your overall health and body function. Every cell within the body is formed to varying degrees from cholesterol. When the cholesterol level becomes elevated, it can be dangerous. However at the appropriate levels, it plays a vital role in many functions of the body. Some cholesterol is produced in your body by the liver and is a fat-like waxy substance. The body needs some cholesterol in order to function properly making about 2000 mg of cholesterol per day. In general, cholesterol absorbed from food amounts to about 100 mg per day. The body's cell walls, or membranes, need cholesterol and the body uses cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. Cholesterol acts as a precursor to vital corticosteroids, hormones that help us deal with stress and protect the body against heart disease and cancer; and to the sex hormones like androgen, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone; it is a precursor to vitamin D, a vital fat-soluble vitamin needed for healthy bones and nervous system, proper growth, mineral metabolism, muscle tone, insulin production, reproduction and immune system function; it is the precursor to bile salts, which are vital for digestion and assimilation of fats in the diet. But the body needs only a small amount of cholesterol to meet its needs.

Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to a protein -- this cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are classified as high density, low density, or very low density, depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.

* Low density lipoproteins (LDL): LDL, also called "bad" cholesterol, can cause buildup of plaque on the walls of arteries. The more LDL there is in the blood, the greater the risk of heart disease.

* High density lipoproteins (HDL): HDL, also called "good" cholesterol, helps the body get rid of bad cholesterol in the blood. The higher the level of HDL cholesterol, the better. If your levels of HDL are low, your risk of heart disease increases.

* Triglycerides/very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL): Triglycerides are another type of fat that is carried in the blood by very low density lipoproteins. Only a small amount of triglycerides is normally found in the blood; most are stored in fat tissue. VLDL is similar to LDL cholesterol in that it contains mostly fat and not much protein. A high triglyceride level, along with high LDL cholesterol, can increase the risk of heart attack.

More than 50% of adults have levels of cholesterol that are too high, which substantially increases their odds of a heart attack, stroke, and coronary disease.

Causes of high cholesterol varies depending on lifestyle. There are several factors that all contribute:

* Diet high in saturated fats – To reduce high cholesterol, the first line of defense is to limit consumption of foods high in animal saturated fats.

* Over weight – Carrying around excess weight generally increases the level of “bad” cholesterol.

* Little or no exercise – Regular exercise helps lower cholesterol and keeps your body functioning well.

* Age and Gender – Cholesterol levels begin to increase as age increases with men generally developing high cholesterol levels earlier.

* Heritage – Family genes is a big determinant of your susceptibility to high cholesterol. If your parents have a history with coronary disease, chances are you may too.

* Other factors – Smoking, over indulgence of alcohol, and stress also are major contributors.

More Cholesterol Facts

- Recent research shows that cholesterol acts as an antioxidant protecting against free radical damage that leads to heart disease and cancer. Cholesterol is the body's repair substance, manufactured in large amounts when the arteries are irritated or weak.

- Cholesterol is needed for proper function of serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin is the body's natural "feel-good" chemical. This explains why low cholesterol levels have been linked to aggressive and violent behavior, depression and suicidal tendencies.

- Mother's milk is especially rich in cholesterol and contains a special enzyme that helps the baby utilize this nutrient. Babies and children need cholesterol-rich foods throughout their growing years to ensure proper development of the brain and nervous system. Dietary cholesterol plays an important role in maintaining the health of the intestinal wall,62 which is why low-cholesterol vegetarian diets can lead to leaky gut syndrome and other intestinal disorders.