You are in Medical Library . A soft waxy substance that is present in all parts of the body including the nervous system, skin, muscle , liver, intestines, and heart. It is made by the body and obtained from animal products in the diet.
Cholesterol is found in eggs, dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish .
Fish generally contains less cholesterol than other meats, but some shellfish is high in cholesterol content. Fat content is not a good measurement of cholesterol content. For example, liver and other organ meats are low in fat but very high in cholesterol. Functions Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver for normal body functions including the production of hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D . It is transported in the blood to be used by all parts of the body.