Cholesterol...Why does it matter?

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Cholesterol management is in the prime of its popularity these days. With so much research done on cholesterol and the vast amounts of data available through various sources, managing cholesterol levels keeps on getting more and more difficult for some people. Some functions of cholesterol include aiding in formation of cell membranes, Vitamin D synthesis on skin, hormone production (sex hormone, etc.) among a host of other functions. High Cholesterol levels if left un-managed may lead to atherosclerosis. Cholesterol is usually measured in milligrams per deciliter i.e. mg/dl.

Primarily affecting the human body through LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol) and Triglycerides, cholesterol management may be achieved through dietary strategies. Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) is commonly referred to as the bad cholesterol as it can potentially clog the blood vessels and arteries leading to clots and obstruction on blood flow, which over a period of time may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. In a similar fashion, high triglycerides in the blood may lead to an increased risk of coronary artery disease, heart disease etc irrespective of the total cholesterol levels.


While most believe that, all cholesterol is bad and try to restrict the intake of all cholesterol containing foods, it has so far not been established weather if dietary cholesterol intake may increase blood cholesterol or not in healthy adults.

High Density Lipoproteins (LDL) commonly known as the good cholesterol are the ones that act as saviors by performing functions such as removal of extra cholesterol in the blood vessels, prevention of LDL oxidation, slowing growth of atherosclerosis plague, etc. Some foods that may be beneficial in management of cholesterol include oats, beans, omega-3 fats, fresh vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, etc. While foods to avoid may include processed foods, trans fat containing foods, high sugar foods, very high fat foods, etc.

Quantity of food to be consumed even though it may be a healthy food varies between individuals due to parameters such as age, weight, current medical condition, food tolerance, food allergy, current caloric requirement, physical activity levels, etc. Combining exercise and a balanced diet is a good place to begin when aiming for cholesterol management.

Note: The above mentioned information is for educational and awareness purposes only. It should not be taken as medical advise in any way whatsoever. If you or someone else has cholesterol issues, it is recommended to consult a qualified doctor.

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