High Cholesterol

Food & Nutrition I

What Is It?

 Hyperlipidemia is high
cholesterol and triglycerides.
 Major adult cardiovascular
diseases begin in childhood and
adolescence.
What Is Cholesterol?

 Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance

found among the lipids (fats) in the
bloodstream and in all your body's
cells.
 It's used to form cell membranes,
some hormones and is needed for
other functions.
 But a high level of cholesterol in the
blood is a major risk factor for
coronary heart disease, which leads to
heart attack.
What is LDL Cholesterol?
Low-density lipoprotein is the major
cholesterol carrier in the blood.
If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the
blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the
arteries feeding the heart and brain.
It can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that
can clog those arteries.
What is HDL Cholesterol?
About 1/3 of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL.
HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and
back to the liver, where it's passed from the body.
HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows
their growth.
HDL cholesterol is known as "good" cholesterol because a
high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack.
Where Do I Get Cholesterol?
2 Ways:
 The body produces varying amounts, usually about 1,000 milligrams a day.

 Foods also can contain cholesterol.

 Foods from animals (especially egg yolks, meat, poultry, shellfish and whole- and
reduced-fat milk and dairy products) contain it.
 Foods from plants (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds) don't contain
cholesterol.

 The body makes all the cholesterol it needs, so people don't need to
consume it.
 What Else Effects Cholesterol Levels?
 Tobacco smoke is one of the six major risk factors of
heart disease that you can change or treat.
 Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol levels and increases the
tendency for blood to clot.
 Blood clots can cause heart attacks, stroke, and even death.
How Can I Lower My Cholesterol?
 Choose healthy fats (oils), limit saturated fat, and avoid trans fat.

 The total amount of fat you eat, whether high or low, isn't really linked with
disease. What really matters is the type of fat you eat.
 The "bad" fats—saturated and trans fats—increase the risk for certain
diseases.
 The "good" fats—monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats—lower
disease risk.
 Choosing foods without cholesterol and adding whole grains also helps.
Will Physical Activity Help?
 Regular physical activity increases HDL cholesterol in
some people.
 A higher HDL cholesterol is linked with a lower risk of
heart disease.
 Physical activity can also help control weight, diabetes and
high blood pressure.
 Physical inactivity is a major risk factor
for heart disease.
Where Should the Levels Be?

Total Blood (or Serum) Cholesterol Level

 < 200 mg/dL Desirable
 200–239 mg/dL Borderline-High Risk 
 240 mg/dL and over High Risk 
Where Should the Levels Be?
HDL (Good) Cholesterol Level
 70 and above Optimal
 60 to 70 Near Optimal
 < 40 mg/dL for men High Risk
 < 50 mg/dL for women High Risk

LDL Cholesterol Levels

 < 100 mg/dL Optimal
 100 to 129 mg/dL Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
 130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline High
 160 to 189 mg/dL High
 190 mg/dL and above Very High