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Sterols: CHOLESTEROL

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What is

cholesterol?

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Cholesterol

A soft waxy substance made naturally in our bodies

Rigid molecule that helps solidify cell walls

        • Up to 25% of wall is cholesterol
        • Insoluble in water

Helps to form or repair cell membranes, some hormones, vitamin D and other tissues

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Where does cholesterol come from?

The two sources of cholesterol are the

1. Liver

2. Food

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The body produces 80% of the cholesterol it needs.

  • Manufactured by the liver�

The remaining 20% comes from the food we eat.

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Why is

management of

cholesterol levels

important?

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Research has shown…

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The path of cholesterol…

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Cholesterol is transported throughout the body by�� LIPOPROTEINS:: � Clusters of lipid & protein molecules

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HIGH-DENSITY LOW-DENSITY

LIPOPROTEINS LIPOPROTEINS

(HDL) (LDL)

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  • High-density lipoproteins (HDL) carry cholesterol from the blood back to the liver, which processes the cholesterol for elimination from the body. �
  • HDL makes it less likely that excess cholesterol in the blood will be deposited in the coronary arteries

HDL cholesterol is often known as the �"good" cholesterol

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  • Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) carry cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body
  • When there is too much LDL cholesterol in the blood, it can be deposited on the walls of the coronary arteries.

LDL cholesterol is often known as the�"bad" cholesterol

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Plaque:

  • Deposits of LDL cholesterol can build up inside arteries

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  • Can narrow an artery enough to slow or block blood flow

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Process of LDL vs HDL

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Atherosclerosis

Hardening and narrowing of the arteries is known as the heart disease, atherosclerosis

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Who is at risk?

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1 in 3 Americans die from cardiovascular disease,

killing more than 800,000 people each year

(American Health Association)

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Prevalence of cardiovascular disease in adults ≥20 years of age by age and sex (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: 2005–2008).

Copyright © American Heart Association

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Uncontrollable Factors Affecting Cholesterol Levels

  • Cholesterol levels �rise with age�
  • After menopause, women's LDL levels tend to rise
  • Poorly controlled diabetes increases cholesterol levels�
  • Improvements in controlling diabetes can cholesterol levels can fall

���AGE & GENDER

DIABETES

  • Your genes partly determine how much cholesterol the body makes.

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  • Certain medications and medical conditions can increase cholesterol counts

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���HEREDITY

OTHER CAUSES

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Controllable Factors Affecting Cholesterol Levels

  • Reduce the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your dietary choices as both can increase cholesterol levels�
  • Being overweight can increase cholesterol�
  • Losing excess weight can help lower your LDL and total cholesterol levels & increase HDL cholesterol

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  • Regular exercise can lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. �
  • Aim to be physically active for at least 30-45 minutes on most days.

���DIETARY CHOICES & MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT

EXERCISE

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Fats & Oils to Choose Affecting Cholesterol Levels

High in unsaturated fatty acids that lowers LDL & increases HDL

MONOUNSATURATED FATS

Lowers LDL but may also lower HDL

POLYUNSATURATED FATS

Reduces LDL levels

UNSATURATED FATS

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UNSATURATED

SATURATED

Lowers blood cholesterol levels

Raises blood cholesterol levels

Diets high in saturated fat & cholesterol reduce liver's demand for circulating LDL=

higher blood levels and greater deposition of cholesterol in vessels.

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Animal fat: higher in saturated fatty acids

COCONUT & PALM OILS BUTTER BACON EGGS SOUR CREAM

AGED CHEESES WHOLE MILK

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Monounsaturated - A fatty acid with one double bond is monounsaturated

OLIVE OIL OLIVES

CANOLA OIL AVOCADOS PEANUTS PEANUT OIL

Polyunsaturated - A fatty acid with two or more double bonds.� CORN OIL SOYBEAN OIL

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Trans FAT

Increases LDL or bad cholesterol

Banned to be purposefully added into foods as of 2018 but still required on nutrition labels since they can still be found in foods naturally or that:

  • are fried
  • contain margarine or shortening

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Reducing overall dietary fat is the best way to reduce intake of trans fatty acids

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Helpful tips to live by for heart health:

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Expand & Check Your Knowledge: � Conscious About Cholesterol Assignment