However, unsaturated fats, like olive oil, tend to be liquid. Essential fatty acids are those that cannot be synthesized by the body and include linolcic and sometimes arachidonic acids. These three fatty acids are important in many body functions, including tissue strength, cholesterol metabolism, muscle tone and blood clotting. Cholesterol is naturally occurring in animal tissue, but not in plants. It comes from food we eat, mainly egg yolks and organ meats.
Cholesterol has widespread functions essential to life and a certain amount is needed in a diet.
However, in excess, it may lead to various health risks, including atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Lipoproteins are combinations of fats and proteins, serving as major fat carriers in the bloodstream. Fat provides fuel for energy production and is stored in various parts of the body. Many helpful functions of fat include providing a protective body shield against trauma, regulating body temperature and protecting nerve fibers. The traditional American diet is high in fat and cholesterol.