by 
The Curious Bag
-
While vital to cell membranes, hormone regulation, vitamin synthesis and memory, too much cholesterol in your arteries blocks blood flow, leading to heart attack and stroke. Controlling your dietary cholesterol may prevent cardiovascular disease.
Significance
Your liver produces all the cholesterol your body needs---approximately 1500 to 2000 mg---each day. On top of that, most people consume 300 to 500 mg of cholesterol per day. Family history, exercise and diet influence the amount of cholesterol in your blood.
Types
Tiny molecules, or lipoproteins, transport cholesterol through your blood vessels. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) deposit cholesterol in arteries, where they can do damage. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) carry cholesterol from your arteries and back to the liver.
Sources
Dietary cholesterol comes from animal-based foods, such as eggs, meat, poultry and dairy products.
Bad Fats
Saturated (animal) fats can increase blood cholesterol levels. Trans fats---produced when oils are hydrogenated, or solidified---raise the LDL (bad) type of cholesterol. Snack foods and margarine contain hydrogenated oils.
Good Fats
Better choices for cooking include monounsaturated fats, such as olive and canola oils. Walnuts, flax, salmon and sardines contain healthy polyunsaturated fats.
Source:
More Information:
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC