Low Cholesterol Diet

Purpose
Fat is a major energy source for the body. However, it is not the body's only source of energy, and too much fat in the diet can be harmful. It is especially bad for the circulatory system because it raises blood cholesterol levels that can contribute to heart attack or stroke. These diets are designed to reduce fat and cholesterol to levels recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). NCEP is made up of 40 private and governmental groups coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Both diets have the following goals:

•decrease total dietary fat, especially saturated fat
•decrease dietary cholesterol
•limit sodium intake
•increase intake of fiber and complex carbohydrates
•decrease calories if needed to reach a healthy body weight

Diet is the first level of treatment for high blood cholesterol in most adults and children over the age of two. The Step-2 diet is more restrictive, and is used when a person now has or did have any of the following:

•a high blood cholesterol, even after following a Step-1 diet for 6   to 12 weeks
•evidence of atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in the arteries)
•a heart attack or stroke

The heart pumps blood through blood vessels called arteries. This blood carries vital oxygen and nutrients needed by tissues and organs throughout the body. The heart itself is supplied with blood vessels called coronary arteries. When cholesterol levels rise above normal limits and stay high, some cholesterol is left behind in the arteries. Over the years, a hardened, waxy substance called cholesterol plaque builds up on the artery walls, and reduces or blocks blood flow. Organs supplied by these arteries then become damaged because they cannot get the oxygen and nutrients they need. For example, when blood flow to the brain is blocked, a stroke occurs. When plaque completely blocks a coronary artery, a heart attack takes place.

Cholesterol in the body comes from two sources. Most cholesterol is made by the liver from various nutrients and especially from saturated fats. The liver makes just about all the cholesterol the body will ever need. Since all animals can make their own cholesterol, some cholesterol in the human body comes directly from eating animal products. These foods include meats, egg yolks, organ meats, whole milk and milk products. This cholesterol is absorbed through the intestines and added to what the liver makes. It is also known that a diet high in saturated fat seems to increase cholesterol production in the body. Therefore, reducing dietary cholesterol and fats helps to keep blood cholesterol levels within a healthy range.