Saturated fats help the body make cholesterol and are strong contributors to raising the blood cholesterol level. Monounsaturated fats are commonly found in olive and peanut oils, and may be helpful in lowering cholesterol. Polyunsaturated fats help to lower blood cholesterol levels. They are found in foods such as vegetables, fruit and grain. Blood cholesterol is a combination of the cholesterol manufactured by the body and that supplied by animal foods.
Cholesterol is one of a number of lipids found in human blood and certain tissues.
It is a fatty substance. Lipoproteins transport cholesterol and other fats in the blood stream. Because cholesterol is like a fat it will not mix with water. Therefore, in order for blood cholesterol and fats to be able to travel through the blood stream, the body has to combine them with protein. The two major kinds of lipoproteins are LDLs and HDLs.