Cholesterol is present in food, but usually only in small amounts. The cholesterol in the body is usually manufactured within the body itself. The body takes fat in the food and converts it into cholesterol. Certain types of foods are higher in fat than others, and these high fat foods are likely to result in more cholesterol production when they are eaten. A high fat diet can therefore result in excessive cholesterol levels.
It is possible to prevent bad cholesterol, or even to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood, by eating a healthy diet that is low in fat. Ensuring that cholesterol levels do not become too high is important because high cholesterol can contribute to cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol is very common, however, particularly in Western countries where many people eat a high fat diet.
Cholesterol is present in food. It is present in particularly high levels in foods such as kidney, liver and eggs, as well as in prawns and some other types of seafood. However, the cholesterol that is consumed in these foods does not make a significant contribution to the amount of cholesterol that is present in the body. In the past, people were advised to limit their intake of eggs because of the large amounts of cholesterol that they contain, but it is now believed that eating cholesterol is not the cause of increasing cholesterol levels.
Eating a lot of saturated fats is likely to result in high blood pressure levels. Saturated fats are converted by the body into cholesterol. Foods that are high in saturated fats include butter and some types of cooking oil. Sunflower and olive oil are good alternatives that are low in saturated fats. It is also advisable to choose lean meat and to trim off the fat. Removing the skin from chicken and other types of poultry can also help to reduce the amount of saturated fats that are being consumed. Drinking skim milk or half-and-half can also help reduce the amount of saturated fat in the diet.
A healthy diet that will help to prevent high cholesterol should contain plenty of fiber. Eating oily fish can be beneficial since the omega-3 fats that these fish contain can help to keep the heart healthy and to lower the levels of triglycerides in the blood. Some foods are promoted as being able to help keep cholesterol levels low. There is some evidence that these types of foods, which include spreads, soft cheeses and yogurts can help to lower cholesterol levels.
Although high cholesterol levels are often associated with a diet that is high in saturated fat, some people do suffer from high cholesterol despite eating a good diet. There are some inherited conditions, for example that can lead to high cholesterol.
