Cholesterol Facts

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How to increase your HDL (good) cholesterol
Health and disease topics

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is naturally occurring in the body. You hear so much about this substance that the mere mention conjures images of clogged arteries and a heart attack.
Fact. Cholesterol is necessary for life. It is the substance from which the sex hormones and vitamin D are made.
Fact. The body makes more cholesterol than you can take in from a normal diet.
Fact. You can control your blood cholesterol to some extent by the amount and types of fat you consume, as well as by how much cholesterol you eat.
Fact. Saturated fats and trans fats are converted into cholesterol in the body. Because these fats can lead to an increase in blood cholesterol, they are called bad fats. These fats lead to the buildup of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), which is the bad cholesterol.
Fact. Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats have a more favorable effect on blood cholesterol. These fats help to swing the pendulum towards high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), which is the good cholesterol.
Fact.
Fact. Too much LDL-cholesterol can lead to narrowing of the arteries, poor circulation and a stroke or heart attack.
Fact. Controlling your cholesterol is not just about dietary fat. It is about dietary fiber, exercise and a host of other things that you can do to keep the bad cholesterol down.
Fact. A diet containing 25 to 35 grams of dietary fiber could help to eliminate cholesterol and those substances that lead to the production of cholesterol in the body.
Fact. Shellfish contains a cholesterol-like substance, but in normal amounts, shellfish do not lead to an increase in blood cholesterol.
Fact. Cholesterol comes from animals. Therefore, eating animal products may contribute to the buildup of cholesterol in the blood.
Fact. Animal products are high in saturated fats. Therefore, animal products could lead to the manufacture of cholesterol in the blood, primarily LDL or “bad” cholesterol.
Fact. Plant foods do not contain cholesterol in their natural state. Cholesterol may be added in the preparation of certain foods.
Fact. Plant foods contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which help to maintain a healthy ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.
Fact. Vegetable oils, such as corn oil, olive oil and corn oil have no cholesterol.
Fact. Vegetable oils are important sources of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.
Fact. High fat dairy products contain saturated fats. Therefore, it is better to choose low fat or fat free dairy.
Fact. Some people naturally overproduce cholesterol and may not be able to bring the level of HDL to LDL to a safe level without cholesterol-lowering medications.
Fact. Exercise can help to reduce cholesterol levels, particularly bad cholesterol.
Fact. Weight loss in people who are overweight may help to reduce cholesterol.
Fact. A ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol is 1:3.5 to 2:3.5 mmpl/L.
Fact. Sitosterol, a fiber in soy, has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol.
Fact. Good carbs are often made bad by the addition of saturated fats for baking, by frying and by adding butter or margarine at the table.
Fact. Avocados are high in fat, but it is mostly monounsaturated fats or the good fat.
Fact. Nuts are high in fat, but these fats are mostly monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats. These are the good guys.
Fact. If you eat too much of any fat, it can lead to an excess of calories, which in turn can lead to obesity and health problems, including high cholesterol.