Elevation of blood total cholesterol level can predispose an individual to atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and a host of other illnesses.

Cholesterol is not a fat. It is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by all animals, including humans.

The body synthesizes 75% of its cholesterol in the liver, deriving the remainder from diet.

In the human body cholesterol functions as the precursor of major steroid hormones such as cortisol, DHEA, testosterone, and estrogen.

Cholesterol is found in cell membranes, and as a free radical scavenger, functions there to protect membranes from oxidation.

Cholesterol is needed for many bodily functions. It serves to insulate nerve fibers, maintain cell walls, produce vitamin D and other hormones and digestive juices.

Foods that lower cholesterol

Soy protein supplements reduce serum lipids. In a 2005 American Heart Association presentation, Deborah Bujnowski, a Tulane University dietician, presented findings of a metaanalysis of 43 studies. Soy protein reduced cholesterol a modest but significant 5.16 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol 6.83 mg/dL, and triglycerides 4.69 mg/dL.

Nutritional medicines that lower cholesterol

Policosanol is a natural cholesterol lowering agent derived from sugar cane that outperforms the statin drugs in every way. In head-to-head trials it works better than statins to lower cholesterol. It also raises “good” HDL-C levels, which statins won’t do, and costs significantly less. It has a side effect profile comparable to the placebo.

Flaxseed oil lowers low-density lipoproteins (LDLs, that in their oxidized state, cause plaque to build-up by damaging the inner endothelial lining of arteries). Flaxseed oil also lowers triglycerides. A recent report from the medical journal Arteriosclerosis found that flaxseed could reduce cholesterol-related artery disease by 46 percent.

In a number of studies, green tea has been shown to produce significant reductions in cholesterol. For example, in a recent study reported at the World Organization of Family Doctors, Dr. Theresa Bautista presented a study in which hypercholesterolemic patients who weren't regular tea drinkers were given a cup of Chinese green tea after three meals a day for two weeks. Average cholesterol dropped from 235 mg./dL at baseline to 187 mg./dL at the end of the study. Green tea also lowered average blood pressure from 130/87 to 117/81 after two weeks.