These include limiting saturated fats to 7 percent of total calories, increasing intake of soluble fiber and plant stanols, weight reduction and increased physical activity. Plant stanols are included in certain margarines and salad dressings. Foods high in soluble fiber include legumes, cereal grains, peas, beans and many fruits and vegetables. Cholesterol has received increasing attention in recent years as it has become more obvious that high levels of this fat are a major risk factor for heart disease. It can't be eliminated completely, however.
Cholesterol is a vital part of the body, a soft, waxy substance found among the fats in every cell.
It's used to form cell membranes, some hormones and other needed tissues. But if there is too much LDL, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain, forming a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. A clot in the region of this plaque can block the flow of blood to part of the heart muscle, causing a heart attack. A clot in the brain causes a stroke. On the other hand, HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body.