Fat and Cholesterol Fat and Cholesterol Healthy lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly and quitting smoking can reduce your risk of heart disease, but another important change is one in dietary habits. Reduction in the certain types of fat and cholesterol are very important. Lipids are the fats that circulate in your blood stream. Two types of these fats that are closely watched by your physician are cholesterol and triglycerides.
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found only in animal products.
Americans currently consume 400-500 milligrams of cholesterol a day, but the recommended amount is only 300 mg per day for the average person. Good and Bad Cholesterol is essential for life to make strong cell membranes and hormones. The body manufactures about 1,000 mgs of cholesterol daily. Too much cholesterol can cause fatty plaques on arterial walls which narrows the artery. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.