High levels of LDLs are usually associated with an elevated blood cholesterol and an increased risk of heart disease due to cholesterol and fat being deposited in the arteries. These fatty deposits decrease the interior size of the arteries so the blood supply is reduced, thus increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. There is no proven way to control HDL and LDL levels, but diet may play a part. Cholesterol in the body comes from two major sources. The other major source of chotesterol is that which is produced by the body, the majority of which comes from the liver.
Cholesterol is required for the formation of bile acids, which are needed for fat digestion.
It is also used to make important hormones such as estrogen and progesterone and is involved in the formation of vitamin D in the skin. Much controversy exists about fat, cholesterol and heart disease. Other factors that have been strongly implicated in heart disease are stress, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes, and a family history of heart disease. To protect your heart, experts recommend that you reduce your overall fat intake - a measure considered by many to be even more important than eating less cholesterol. Saturated fats raise cholesterol levels in the blood while polyunsaturated fats lower them.