Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Myth #5: Cholesterol is bad for you.

The Truth:

• Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is made mostly by the liver.

• It can be bad for us because it forms deposits that line and clog our arteries which contributes to heart disease.

• However, cholesterol is important and our bodies need some blood cholesterol to build cells and make vital hormones.

• There are good and bad cholesterol.

• Saturated fats found in food like meat, cheese, cream, butter and processed pastries tend to raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known as 'bad' cholesterol, which delivers cholesterol to the arteries. Avoid foods high in saturated fats.

• Unsaturated fats such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or 'good' cholesterol, which transports cholesterol away from the arteries, back to the liver.  Other foods that contain 'good' fats include avocados and fish.   Enjoy foods high in 'good' fats such as monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and omega 3 fatty acids.

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