Cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance produced by the liver, is needed by the body to make cell membranes and produce certain hormones. The body makes all the cholesterol it needs. If we consume too many foods high in cholesterol — eggs, dairy products, meats and poultry – the extra cholesterol can build up as plaque in the arteries. Excessive amounts of plaque, or atherosclerosis, obstruct the flow of blood, and can cause a heart attack or a stroke.
