Cholesterol

 What is cholesterol?

Essentially, high cholesterol means the cholesterol in the blood is too high, which increases your risk of heart disease. To learn more about high cholesterol, see when cholesterol is it considered too high? and Setting Goals.

Where does cholesterol stays?

The liver manufactures about 80% of the cholesterol found in blood, the rest from our diet.

Many foods contain small amounts of cholesterol, but the data suggest that saturated fats and trans fats found in our diet have the greatest impact on blood cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are typically found in meat and dairy products. It is therefore important to monitor not only the cholesterol content of foods, but also the amount of saturated fat they contain.

Although a small number of people can eat a diet rich in saturated fat without having adverse effects on cholesterol levels, most people should eat foods lower in fat to maintain a healthy cholesterol level.

The production of cholesterol in the liver is influenced by family history (genetics) and how the liver works. This means that your diet and lifestyle are not the only factors responsible for high cholesterol. The risk of high cholesterol increases with age.

Cholesterol! Is it all bad?

Your body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to function properly. It is essential to the manufacture of cells and hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that allow cells to communicate. Thus, sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, are made in the body from cholesterol.

How many people suffer from high cholesterol?

Nearly 40% of the adult Canadian population shows high cholesterol. Do you belong in? Ask your doctor to check your cholesterol and if you were to have other tests to assess your risk of heart disease.