Cholesterol is natural and essential and is found in all animals, including humans. Cholesterol is necessary to make hormones, vitamin D and bile. You only get a small amount of cholesterol from the food you eat. Your liver makes more to meet your body's needs. There are many factors that can affect your blood cholesterol level.
Saturated fats are the biggest culprit when it comes to heart disease.
They are found in many prepackaged foods such as cookies, crackers and chips, whipped toppings, as well as in many baked goods such as croissants, cakes and danishes. Saturated fats are also found in processed foods that are made with lard, palm oil or coconut oil. Scientific literature suggests that reducing total fat intake is of little benefit without a substantial reduction in saturated fat. Trans fats are the other culprits which are considered to be just as bad as saturated fats by the scientific community. Studies over the past decade have confirmed that consumption of trans fatty acids increases risk factors for heart disease.