Researchers combined mouse and human data to identify the gene, which may reduce cholesterol production in the liver in response to a high cholesterol diet.
Cholesterol has several vital functions in the human body. For instance, the molecule is a component of cell membranes, and the body needs it to make vitamin D and some hormones.
However, excessive blood levels of cholesterol in the form of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are a risk factor for atherosclerosis — the narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of fatty plaques — which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
The body manufactures its own cholesterol in the liver, and rich dietary sources include eggs, red meat, and butter. Regardless of their diet, though, some people