The American Heart Association reports that 106.7 million Americans have elevated blood cholesterol levels. For 37.2 million of those people, high cholesterol poses a serious health concern. Cholesterol is produced by the liver in sufficient quantities to fill the body's needs. People also get cholesterol from their diet, which can lead to an excess of cholesterol in the body. All foods derived from animals contain cholesterol, including meat, milk and eggs. Eating lots of foods derived from animals, as well foods high in saturated or trans fats---such as baked goods or butter and spreads---increases your blood cholesterol level. Lack of activity and obesity also cause cholesterol levels to rise. Your family history can also play a role. Not all cholesterol is bad. Exercising and eating heart-healthy fats---like fish and nuts---increases the good cholesterol in your body, which counteracts some of the effects of bad cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that people limit their daily cholesterol intake to 300 mg and engage in regular physical activity to manage cholesterol levels.The Facts
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