Fiber aids on the elimination of cholesterol from the body via the bile in the intestinal tract. Without adequate dietary fiber, uneliminated cholesterol builds up in the body.

The cholesterol concentration in the bile in the gall bladder may increase as much as tenfold. This predisposes cholesterol to crystallize, leading to the formation of cholesterol gallstones.

In addition, as previously pointed out, increased blood cholesterol plugs arteries , especially the coronary arteries of the heart, increasing the risk of a heart attack .