Cholesterol Counts

What You Should Know About Cholesterol…

Many people may think that cholesterol is bad, but in fact the body needs and actually makes cholesterol. Because fat and cholesterol cannot be dissolved in the blood, special carriers called lipoproteins are needed. There are two main types of lipoproteins: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL).

LDLs are considered “bad” l and are the main carrier of cholesterol in the blood. If there are increased LDL levels, it can cause a build up in the artery walls and cause a narrowing. High levels of LDL cholesterol can be a risk factor for heart disease.

HDLs, on the other hand, are considered “good.” Experts believe that it carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver. In fact, higher levels of HDLs seem to be protective against heart disease.

Cholesterol performs several functions in the body, but in excess amounts can be harmful. And unfortunately, it seems that cholesterol levels are increasing rather than decreasing. A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that in 1991 only 25.7% percent of adults reported having high blood cholesterol levels compared with the 28.6% who reported high levels in 1999.

Recently, the National Cholesterol Education Program issued updated guidelines for the detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults, which included this recommendation: “Everyone older than age 2 should care about cholesterol to reduce the risk of developing heart disease as an adult. Children as well as adults can improve the health of their hearts by following a low-saturated-fat and low-cholesterol diet, avoiding obesity, and being physically active.”

A December 2000 publishing in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirmed that simple dietary substitutions make a difference in lowering cholesterol levels, not only in adults but also in children. This groundbreaking research revealed that the entire family can benefit from a heart-healthy diet, as cholesterol levels were dramatically lowered in adults and children when they switched from butter (saturated fat diet) to margarine (unsaturated fat diet). (Find out more about that research, here.)

This study, and others indicate that dietary changes can help control cholesterol levels. Foods that are high in saturated fat and total fat are usually high in cholesterol as well. Saturated fat has been shown to raise blood cholesterol levels and is usually found in high amounts in fried foods and foods that come from animals.

To help cut down on the saturated fat in your diet, choose lean cuts of meat, margarine in place of butter, skim and 1% percent milk in place of whole milk, and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and grain products. You should also look for foods that have been broiled, boiled, baked or roasted instead of fried.

To learn more about cholesterol and heart disease, visit the American Heart Association's Web site.