Dietary cholesterol raises blood cholesterol; the extent of cholesterol increase varies among individuals.  Dietary cholesterol also may contribute to the ability of saturated fat to increase blood cholesterol.It may increase coronary heart disease risk beyond its direct cholesterol-raising effect.The Step I Diet limits dietary cholesterol to less than 300 mg per day, and the Step II Diet to less than 200 mg per day.  Cholesterol is only in foods of animal origin:

• Egg yolk is the most concentrated source
• Meat, poultry, and fish (shellfish & finfish)
• Dairy products

Cholesterol is found in both the lean and fat portions of all meat.  Some shellfish (primarily shrimp and crayfish) are higher in cholesterol than meat or finfish.  However, shellfish is low in fat, especially saturated fat.

All LivingHeart diets are low in cholesterol.