Cholesterol
Cholesterol is needed by our
bodies for our cells, nerves and brain.
It is also important in
forming hormones and enzymes. We make all the cholesterol we need
in our livers.
We get cholesterol from the foods we eat, too.
Since every animal has a liver, when we eat foods made from
animal products
(fish, eggs,chicken, milk, beef or cheese) we eat
cholesterol. If we make too much cholesterol or eat too many
foods that contain
cholesterol or saturated fat the level of
cholesterol in the blood increases.
The higher our blood
cholesterol, the higher our chances of developing heart disease.
Eating less fat, less saturated fat, and less cholesterol will
all help lower blood cholesterol.
Cutting the amount of
cholesterol we eat may only have a small effect on blood
cholesterol.
To cut down on cholesterol, we can eat more plant
foods as sources of protein instead of meat.
Eat legumes like
black beans, lentils, black-eyed peas and kidney beans instead of
meat and poultry.