A person' s dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat is one of the most important factors determining the level of cholesterol in the person' s blood (serum cholesterol)  Serum cholesterol levels rise proportionally to increased cholesterol and fat consumption until that consumption reaches a threshold, but once consumption of these substances exceeds that threshold, serum cholesterol levels rise only gradually, even with dramatic increases in consumption
The threshold is one fourth the consumption level of cholesterol and fat in today' s average North American diet
People who consume half as much cholesterol and fat as in the average North American diet will not necessarily have half the average serum cholesterol level.