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What Produces Cholesterol?

While many people worry about lowering their cholesterol, cholesterol serves several important functions in the body. As a result, the liver not only helps glean cholesterol out of the food consumed, but also produces cholesterol itself.

  1. Liver

    • The liver is the primary source of cholesterol in the body.

    Benefits

    • The cholesterol produced in the liver is used to create the digestive juices that are found in the stomach. The liver also directs cholesterol to parts of the body that need more cholesterol in order to function properly. The cholesterol is needed in order for nerves to function, for hormones to be produced and for cell membranes to be formed.

    Small Intestines

    • The small intestines absorb cholesterol from food consumed by the individual. This cholesterol absorption takes pressure off of the liver.

    Processing

    • The cholesterol absorbed by the small intestines is sent to the liver where it is processed.

    Overproduction

    • When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, the liver is able to filter cholesterol out of the blood stream.

    Food Sources

    • Foods high in cholesterol include beef, pork, lamb, egg, cod liver, chicken, duck and goose.

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