There has been some debate over whether margarine or butter is better for people who are watching their cholesterol intake. According to the Cleveland Clinic, many types of margarine are made from plant oils so they don't contain any cholesterol, whereas butter is made from milk, so it does contain cholesterol.

Cholesterol bumps--or xanthomas--are fatty deposits that build up under the skin. Anyone can develop a cholesterol bump, but they are most common on the elderly and affect many people with high blood cholesterol levels.

Kefir is an increasingly popular fermented milk beverage that has been linked to a variety of health benefits.

Your blood naturally contains two types of cholesterol, a good kind called HDL and a potentially harmful type called LDL. Cholesterol is needed for certain bodily functions, but it causes problems if your levels get too high.

If you have high cholesterol, a plant rhizome that's commonly used as a cooking spice may help lower it. Ginger has been used as a remedy for headaches, nausea, vomiting, motion sickness and arthritis.

High cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors for developing heart disease which is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States. Fortunately your risk can be decreased by simply lowering your overall cholesterol level.

Although you might fear cholesterol, given its correlation with heart disease, it actually aids in healthy function of your body by producing hormones, building cell tissues and protecting your nerves. Problems arise when too much of this substance circulates through your blood, increasing your risk for heart disease.

Also known as 3-alpha-hydroxy-5-beta-pregned-20-one, pregnenolone is made in the body from cholesterol. Progesterone is a precursor to other steroid hormones. Some refer to DHEA as the "mother" hormone because it can be converted to estrogen or testosterone.

A 3.5-ounce serving of venison steak -- or 100 grams -- contains 18 milligrams of dietary cholesterol. That is less than the cholesterol in most other meats, both red and white.

"Statins" are the most commonly prescribed class of drugs to lower total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, also referred to as LDL-C. Statins work by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Results are a 20 to 50% drop in LDL-C, depending on drug and dose.

Your doctor prescribes drugs such as statins and bile acid sequestrants to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Drinking alcohol while taking these medications can offset their ability to function properly and increase the side effects of the medications.

Although you might think of all dietary fats as unhealthy, consuming certain types called omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids might help lower your risk for some chronic diseases.