Cholesterol is essential for normal body function, as it is found in every cell of our body and is needed to produce vitamin D, bile acids, and hormones.

Cholesterol in our blood is mainly produced by the liver and is transported in lipoproteins, with LDL being the 'bad' cholesterol and HDL being the 'good' cholesterol.

The cholesterol we eat has a small role in the cholesterol that circulates in our blood, and foods high in cholesterol mostly come from animal sources containing saturated fats.

Eggs have been thought to be bad for the heart due to their cholesterol content, but recent research shows that dietary cholesterol has very little influence on blood cholesterol levels.

Quitting smoking can improve HDL cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. The portfolio diet, focusing on soy protein, plant sterols, tree nuts, and soluble fiber, can reduce cholesterol by up to 30%.

The obsession with individual nutrients like cholesterol and saturated fat has shifted to focusing on whole dietary patterns and the quality of individual foods. Our bodies are adept at adapting to different dietary cholesterol intakes.