Cholesterol

Some foods naturally contain cholesterol. For example: Liver Kidneys Eggs Prawns But the cholesterol we get from our food has much less effect on the level of cholesterol in our blood than the amount of saturated fat we eat.

The government recommends that cholesterol levels should be less than 5mmol/L. The UK population has one of the highest average cholesterol concentrations in the world. In the UK, two out of three adults have a total cholesterol level of 5mmol/L or above. On average, men in England have a cholesterol level of 5.5mmol/L women have a level of 5.6mmol/L.

High levels of cholesterol in the blood increase the risk of: Disease of the heart and blood vessels. Heart Attack A stroke This is because cholesterol can build up in the artery wall restricting the flow of blood to your heart, brain and the rest of your body. It also increases the chance of a blood clot developing.

Cholesterol is made by the liver and found in the blood. It is used in the cell membranes of mammals… …and so is essential for life The amount of cholesterol produced by the liver depends on a combination of diet and inherited factors.

Cholesterol is carried around the body by two types of lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are ‘bad’ cholesterol and can cause heart disease. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are ‘good’ cholesterol. The balance of these is very important to good heart health.

____________ ________ carries cholesterol from the _________ _______ carries cholesterol back to the _________ Use the Words below to label the diagram: HDL LIVER LIVER LDL LIVER TISSUES LIVER TISSUES HDL LIVER LDL LIVER

Saturated Fats Saturated fats increase blood cholesterol levels. Most people in the UK eat too much saturated fat – about 20% more than the recommended maximum amount. The average man should have no more than 30g saturated fat a day. The average woman should have no more than 20g saturated fat a day.

Foods that are rich in saturated fat: Fatty cuts of meat and meat products such as sausages and pies Butter, ghee and lard Cream, soured cream, crème fraîche and ice cream Cheese, particularly hard cheese Pastries Cakes and biscuits Some savoury snacks Some sweet snacks and chocolate Coconut oil, coconut cream and palm oil

Unsaturated Fats Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may help both to reduce blood cholesterol levels and to improve the balance between LDLs and HDLs. Foods that are rich in unsaturated fat: Oily fish Avocados Nuts and Seeds Sunflower, Rapeseed, Olive and vegetable oils, and spreads made from these

LDL stands for LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN HDL stands for HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN WHICH ONE IS GOOD CHOLESTEROL? HDL WHICH FATS IN YOUR DIET INCREASE THE PRODUCTION OF THE ‘GOOD’ CHOLESTEROL? MONOUNSATURATES & POLYUNSATURATES CLICK FOR ANSWER!