Cholesterol plays a vital role in the body by helping it produce vitamin D, cell membranes, and hormones. It is a lipid and it is gotten from the foods we eat and production in the liver. Cholesterol is insoluble therefore it cannot travel through the bloodstream on its own. To compensate for this, the liver produces lipoproteins to help transport cholesterol (and other lipids) through the body. Although it has numerous benefits when at controlled levels, excessive deposits could lead to health complications. Here are some of the causes of high cholesterol:
Diet
Saturated fats [1] and trans fats [2] are high in cholesterol and consuming foods that contain them in large quantities will increase the volume of cholesterol in your blood. An unhealthy diet is a fast way to get a high buildup of cholesterol because food is the second major way we derive cholesterol for the body. Saturated fat can be found in foods like milk, cheese, coconut oil, palm oil, and meat. Trans fat on the other hand is found in some meat and dairy products while there are also artificial trans fats produced in labs. It is important to always check the food label of any product you buy before consumption to avoid excessive intake of these fats.