It's found only in foods from animals. Although it's not the same as a saturated fatty acid, dietary cholesterol can also raise your blood cholesterol level. You need cholesterol for your body to work normally, but your body makes enough so that you don't need to get more from the foods you eat. Saturated fatty acids are the chief culprit in raising blood cholesterol, which increases your risk of heart disease. But dietary cholesterol also plays a part.
Cholesterol is found in meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products.
Egg yolks and organ meats are high in cholesterol. Shrimp and crayfish are somewhat high in cholesterol. Chicken, turkey and fish contain about the same amount of cholesterol as do lean beef, lamb and pork. By choosing foods low in saturated fat, people can also significantly lower their intake of dietary cholesterol. Inc. All rights reserved.