Cholesterol is often viewed as “bad” these days, and many people are doing everything they can to lower cholesterol levels as much as possible. This isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Cholesterol is essential for many normal bodily functions. Enzymes use cholesterol to produce vitamin D, steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), stress hormones, and bile acids for digestion. Cholesterol forms a membrane that surrounds all cells and is also a critical part of regenerating damaged endothelial cells (the inner layer of blood vessel walls).

For most individuals, if you do not eat enough dietary cholesterol, the liver produces the cholesterol needed for bodily functions. The amount of cholesterol in your diet determines how much the liver produces.