Cholesterol
What exactly is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver. It's a lipid (or fat) that the body needs to build cell membranes and to produce certain hormones. When people get too much extra cholesterol from foods, "high cholesterol" may develop. The excess cholesterol builds up and forms plaque on the inner walls of arteries. The plaque causes the vessels to narrow and harden, which can lead to a heart attack.
Some Terms to Know
Atherosclerosis: A condition in which cholesterol builds up and forms plaque inside the arteries. Also called hardening of the arteries, it restricts blood flow and may result in a heart attack.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein): HDL is one type of cholesterol, also known as the Healthy cholesterol. A high HDL level can actually lower the risk of heart disease.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein): LDL is another type of cholesterol, also known as the “Lousy” cholesterol. A high level of LDL increases the risk for heart disease.
WHAT’S NORMAL?
LDL LEVELS:
- Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
- 100 to 129 mg/dL Near or above optimal
- 130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline high
- 160 to 189 mg/dL High
- 190 mg/dL and above Very high
HDL LEVELS:
- Less than 40 mg/dL (for men) Low
- Less than 50 mg/dL (for women) Low
- 60 mg/dL and above High
How can you help clients who have high cholesterol?
- Help you clients stick to a low cholesterol diet:
- Serve chicken, turkey and fish more often than beef or pork.
- Remove the skin from chicken or turkey before cooking.
- Steam vegetables or cook in a tiny bit of olive oil, adding a little water during cooking if needed.
- Add herbs and spices to vegetables instead of butter or cheese!
- The cholesterol in eggs is found in the yolks. However, egg whites are an excellent source of protein.
- Choose low-fat (1%) or fat-free (skim) milk and cheese in place of whole milk or half-and-half.
- Liquid vegetable oils such as canola, safflower, sunflower, soybean, and olive are better choices than solid fats such as butter, lard or shortening.