Dietary cholesterol
Overview of dietary cholesterol and its impact on health
Medical Disclaimer: The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter this site.
Dietary cholesterol refers to the cholesterol found in foods of animal origin. It is a type of fat that is essential for the body, but excessive intake can lead to health issues. Understanding the role of dietary cholesterol in the body and its impact on health is crucial for maintaining a balanced diet.
Sources of Dietary Cholesterol[edit | edit source]
Dietary cholesterol is primarily found in animal-based foods. Some common sources include:
Role in the Body[edit | edit source]
Cholesterol is vital for several bodily functions, including:
- Formation of cell membranes
- Production of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone
- Synthesis of vitamin D
- Production of bile acids which aid in digestion
Health Implications[edit | edit source]
While cholesterol is necessary for health, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is important to balance dietary cholesterol intake with other nutrients to maintain heart health.
Recommendations[edit | edit source]
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest limiting dietary cholesterol intake to maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels. It is recommended to:
- Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables
- Choose whole grains
- Opt for lean proteins
- Limit intake of saturated fats and trans fats
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
