11 Myths and Facts About Cholesterol

Do eat foods containing cholesterol is not good for the body? Are we not allowed to consume cholesterol foods?

Cholesterol is actually needed by the body, but levels increased, especially the bad kind, the low density lipoprotein (LDL), quite an effect on the occurrence of CHD.

Cholesterol plays an important role in the formation of cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D. Liver makes it and connect it to carrier proteins called lipoproteins, which makes it soluble in the blood and transported to all parts of the body.

In order not to get stuck with misconceptions about cholesterol, see the cholesterol myths and facts below:

1. Cholesterol is bad
Myth. In fact, cholesterol is essential for body functions. Dr. John Gullota, chairman of the AMA Therapeutics Committee, told Good Health & Medicine, said about 75 percent of the cholesterol produced by the body and 25 percent is obtained from food.

Most cholesterol is made by the liver and is important for many processes, including the production of sex hormones and vitamin D, as well as for brain and nerve function. Cholesterol is joining the protein to form lipoproteins help travel in the bloodstream.

Added by prof. DR. Made Astawan, MS, food technology and nutrition expert from IPB, although considered dangerous, keep cholesterol the body needs. The average human need 1100 milligrams of cholesterol per day to maintain cell walls and other physiological functions. 25-40 percent of that amount, or about 200-300 mg normally derived from food, the rest is synthesized by the body.

2. All high cholesterol levels put you at risk of the disease.
Myth. The body needs cholesterol to make cell membranes and hormones. There are two kinds of cholesterol that should be observed, ie the good cholesterol HDL, and bad cholesterol (LDL).

Cholesterol wicked that form plaques in the arteries and cause heart disease. In contrast, the good cholesterol helps remove bad cholesterol from the blood. The higher the HDL, the better. The lower the LDL the better as well.

A healthy low-fat diet and exercise will naturally help you manage your cholesterol. Treatment will help when diet and exercise are not enough.

3. Symptoms of high cholesterol risk can be seen.
Myth. In fact, one in five Americans has high cholesterol. Unfortunately, many do not know it because it is usually asymptomatic.

Some people only learn that she had high cholesterol after a heart attack or stroke. Not to sure if you run a high risk of cholesterol? Perform routine cholesterol checks every five years, starting at the age of 20.

4. Treatment is the only way to manage the risk of high cholesterol.
Myth. The main way to reduce the risk of high cholesterol is through diet, exercise, and medication. However, according Gullotta, "Better to lower cholesterol naturally when you can do it." For example, maintaining a healthy weight, be physically active at least 30 minutes every day, and a healthy diet with reduced saturated fat to less than 7 percent of daily calories . Exercise can lower LDL and raise HDL.

Another tip, cholesterol intake less than 200 mg per day, reduce trans fatty acids (hydrogenated oils), asup 25-35 grams of fiber, and increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids by eating fish or fish oil supplements. When diet and exercise alone are not enough to lower your cholesterol, your doctor may recommend medication.

5. High risk cholesterol increases the chances of having type-2 diabetes mellitus.
Facts. High risk cholesterol may contribute in part to the development of type-2 diabetes. Good cholesterol below 35 mg / dL is a risk factor for diabetes. Other risk factors are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, inactivity, and high blood pressure.

Type-2 diabetes as a high risk of cholesterol, can secretly. You may know it until you experience it. Learn your risk of diabetes. Perform the fasting blood sugar when you are overweight.

6. When total cholesterol is normal, you do not risk having a heart attack or stroke.
Myth. In fact, even if your total cholesterol is normal, less than 200 mg / dL, LDL cholesterol or low HDL even increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

That is why, it is important to know all your cholesterol numbers. To reduce the risk of disease, check cholesterol and follow the doctor's orders.

7. Cigarettes and alcohol can affect your cholesterol.
Facts. Alcohol and smoking can alter cholesterol. Several studies have shown alcohol in moderation (about one drink per day for women or two drinks for men) can raise good cholesterol. In contrast, smoking has been shown to lower good cholesterol.

If you've never consume alcohol before, no need to start to have a positive effect on cholesterol. Therefore, healthful diet in itself can increase good cholesterol. However, if you smoke, try to quit. Not only will this help cholesterol, but also reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer.

8. Cholesterol checks should do the first time at age 45.
Myth. In fact, cholesterol check when age was creeping up could get you robbed. In the WebMD website explains that every person should have a cholesterol every five years starting at age 20.

Fasting lipid profile checked after you have fasted for 9-12 hours. The test results will break down cholesterol into several sections, namely triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol. Picture of a healthy, triglycerides less than 150 mg / dL, HDL over 40 mg / dL, LDL less than 100 mg / dL, and total cholesterol below 200 mg / dL. Start checking cholesterol early on will put you in a healthy lifestyle in the future.

9. Eliminating meat, cheese, and fat from the diet will make everything alright.
Myth. In fact, removing one or two of the food groups is not a healthy way to manage cholesterol. No need to avoid all fat, meat, and dairy products from your diet.

The key to managing cholesterol levels is to control the portions and variety. Foods high in saturated fats raise blood cholesterol more than anything else. To that end, limiting the intake of saturated fat and cholesterol can make a difference.

10. Cholesterol is equivalent to fat.
Myth. In fact, judging from their chemical structure, cholesterol is a steroid group, ie a substance which belongs to the class of lipids or fats. However, cholesterol and fat are different substances. The food can be high in fat, but cholesterol-free, such as olive oil. Other foods can be low in fat but high in cholesterol, such as the kidneys.

To keep your heart healthy, replace saturated fat with monounsaturated and double that is friendly to your body.

11. Antioxidants only provide protection against cancer.
Myth. In fact, antioxidants also protect against bad cholesterol, as well as heart disease. Antioxidants protect against free radical damage. Antioxidants are found in many fruits and vegetables. Green tea and dark chocolate with good quality is a source of antioxidants. The presence of these antioxidants will reduce the risk of heart disease.