Re: Excess Vit. A Concern -- A case where a little knowlegde is a dangerous thing

Cholesterol is definitely absorbed from the intestines. This can be cholesterol from food or that is released in bile salts.

Your diet can interfere with cholesterol absorption though, which is why I think the dietitian is making this claim. Many foods such as olive oil, fruits and vegetables contain sterols in varying amounts. These sterols have a high affinity for cholesterol, and bind tightly with cholesterol in the intestines preventing the absorption of some dietary cholesterol and reabsorption of bile cholesterol.

And yes, low cholesterol is dangerous. Low cholesterol can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, depression, dementia, bone disorders, etc.