The cholesterol problem is difficult to fully understand. Cholesterol is needed as a structural element in all cell membranes, and is a building block for some hormones and other essential body functions. Each person's body manufactures different amounts of cholesterol, usually between 500 and 1000 mg a day, but for some as little as 150 mg per day. This is part of a highly complex process, not yet fully understood, which depends on inherited tendencies, many other factors in body functions, and dietary cholesterol intake. There is no evidence that the body needs any dietary cholesterol.
Some people consume huge amounts of dietary cholesterol and are able to eliminate most of it.
Others have a very low intake and very high blood levels. They are not even efficient at eliminating the extra, unneeded amount their own body produces, let alone dietary cholesterol. The problem occurs simply because there is too much and the body does not eliminate it efficiently. If you are just embarking on a low fat diet, you may want to test yourself every few weeks to monitor how your cholesterol level is decreasing. When you feel you have succeeded in reaching a safe level, testing every few months might be adequate.