Cholesterol - Lower is Better

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance which is made by the body and found in food from animal sources. It is an important part of many body functions. Too much of a certain type of cholesterol circulating in the blood can be deposited on the inside of artery walls, causing them to narrow and become blocked. The heart must work harder to pump blood through the narrowed space. Heart attack and stroke are the result of blocked arteries. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors that cause heart disease.

Are there different types of cholesterol?

There are two types of cholesterol: dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol.

1. Dietary cholesterol is the cholesterol found in foods we eat. Foods from animal sources contain cholesterol. Plant foods do not contain cholesterol. Cholesterol-free foods can be quite high in fat. This is important to know because eating too much fat will cause blood cholesterol levels to go up.
2. Blood cholesterol is the cholesterol circulating in your blood. Blood cholesterol is carried through the blood in at least two different ways as Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL).

LDL cholesterol is known as the "bad" cholesterol because it sticks easily to the walls of arteries, making them narrow and blocked. Eating a diet high in saturated fat can increase LDL levels.

HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because this type of cholesterol carries away the deposits of LDL cholesterol from artery walls. A high level of HDL cholesterol is a good sign that your body is getting rid of cholesterol.

Fat has a greater effect on blood cholesterol levels than the cholesterol in food. It is more important to be concerned about the types of fat and the amount we are eating than being concerned about dietary cholesterol.

Factors Affecting Blood Cholesterol

• family history of high blood cholesterol
• increasing age
• being male
• diet high in total fat, saturated fat
• lack of physical activity
• excess body weight
• stress
• menstruation
• pregnancy
• certain prescription drugs+

Source: http://www.region.peel.on.ca/health/