In public consciousness, cholesterol is almost demonized. Large-scale studies from the last century proved that people consuming high amounts of cholesterol in their diet have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Many experts (and some not so expert) recommend various diets or products to help lower cholesterol levels. But why does our body produce cholesterol if it’s so dangerous? To help us understand this issue, we spoke with Dr. Zuhra Galimova, Chief Physician at Smart Health Clinic.
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance used in building all cells in the body. It is especially important for synthesizing corticosteroid and sex hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids. About 80% of cholesterol is produced in the liver, while 20% comes from dietary sources.
In people without lipid metabolism disorders, the body has the right amount of cholesterol it needs. This is supported by a healthy liver.
Why Cholesterol is Demonized
The problem is that cholesterol is often confused with low-density lipoproteins (LDL). An excessively high level of LDL leads to atherosclerosis, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, consuming a large amount of dietary cholesterol itself is not a factor leading to lipid metabolism disorders or increased LDL levels in the blood. The function of your liver is far more important in this aspect.
Factors that contribute to increased LDL include:
Smoking
Physical inactivity
Alcohol abuse
Uncontrolled diabetes
High body fat percentage
Certain medications (e.g., testosterone and its derivatives)
Diet high in trans fats
Genetic predisposition (hereditary hypercholesterolemia)
Other pathologies of various organs and systems
People who consume a lot of cholesterol daily often have a higher body fat percentage, low physical activity, and other lifestyle factors leading to dyslipidemia.
From the Perspective of Modern Science
Modern data shows that simply removing saturated fats from the diet is not effective in correcting cholesterol levels. A systematic review from Nutrients in 2018 concludes: “Current evidence does not support that dietary cholesterol increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy individuals.”
A healthy eating model can include any foods. The key factor is not the quantity of specific foods but the overall caloric intake and the presence of vegetables and fruits in the daily diet. A healthy liver efficiently maintains cholesterol homeostasis and reduces its synthesis in response to increased dietary intake. If you are healthy, you can eat what you want. The main thing is to follow general principles of healthy eating: adequate caloric intake, balance, and sufficient fiber.
