If you have high cholesterol, you may be advised to lower cholesterol in your diet. Even if you don’t already have high cholesterol levels, eating a healthy amount of cholesterol is recommended to help prevent high cholesterol and heart disease. Just how much cholesterol per day do we need? Is is possible to eat too little cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that our body makes in the liver or can be ingested in foods. Cholesterol enters the blood stream and is transported to different parts of a body. Every cell in the body uses cholesterol for cell membrane permeability. Without some cholesterol in the diet, the body will not be able to properly make new cells. Cholesterol is also a key ingredient when the body makes some hormones and Vitamin D.
Although some cholesterol is essential for people, too much in the blood is linked with heart disease and can damage arteries. Although there are medications to help lower cholesterol, eating a healthy diet is highly recommended. Cholesterol is found in meat and dairy products. Some plants also contain low amounts of cholesterol. Nuts and seeds often contain small amount of cholesterol.
Because people need some cholesterol in their diets, but not too much, it’s hard to know how much cholesterol per day is recommended. The American Heart Association recommends those with no risk factors for heart disease consume less than 300 mg per day. For those with heart disease risk factors, consume no more than 200 mg per day.
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