High blood cholesterol leads to coronary artery heart disease, stroke, and death. It is needed for cell structure and important hormones, especially cortisone and sex hormones. It is found in large concentrations in the brain, spinal cord, and liver. Much of the cholesterol in the body comes from the diet. These plaques can rupture, clot over, and result in heart attacks and strokes.
Cholesterol is insoluble and is transported by special blood proteins, called lipoproteins.
They raise the cholesterol levels dramatically. If you are eating 2,000 calories per day, then 600 calories or 64 grams can be fat. One-third of this fat can be saturated. Fats provide 9 calories per gram. Proteins and carbohydrates provide 4.