"Cholesterol-free" - This caption appears on many food products, and most of us are aware that high levels of cholesterol are a health risk. However, it is important to remember that cholesterol plays an important role in creating essential substances for different systems. The main problem is that there are various external and genetic factors that can cause high levels of cholesterol in the body and cause medical conditions and illnesses.
What is the difference between "good" and "bad" cholesterol
As mentioned above, cholesterol has important functions in the body, such as building the mantle (membrane) of all body cells, producing sex hormones, bile salts and vitamins. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is carried in the bloodstream on special proteins that the liver produces, and is called: lipoproteins (lipo = fat, protein = protein). Cholesterol is commonly divided into two main types, according to the lipoproteins that carry them: LDL, the so-called 'bad' cholesterol, because it has a tendency to form plaque deposits in the walls of the blood vessels, and the 'good' cholesterol, HDL, so-called It keeps the "bad" cholesterol from the blood vessels' walls.
High levels of "bad" cholesterol in the blood and low levels of "good" cholesterol are among the major causes of arterial occlusion, called atherosclerosis, which can cause heart attack and stroke. But besides these two life-threatening diseases to the plaque sediment, there are other health effects. Therefore, periodic tests and maintaining proper cholesterol levels are important and essential, at any age.
Unfortunately, many of us carry a genetic trait that causes increased cholesterol production, and if that is not enough, we ourselves are contributing to this by consuming high cholesterol foods.
How, then, can high blood cholesterol be reduced? Some may need medication, some may be content with a low-fat diet. These are joined by natural nutritional components - phytosterols - that can be obtained both through nutrition and through dietary supplements.
What Are Phytosterols?
Phytosterols are natural substances that resemble their cholesterol molecules. This feature allows them to inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption, and decrease blood levels.
Phytosterols are found in all plants, so their best nutritional sources are vegetables, seeds, and nuts. However, although all plants contain phytosterols, their amount in the typical Western diet is insufficient to have a significant effect on cholesterol levels in the body. In order to obtain an adequate amount of phytosterols that will affect your cholesterol levels, you need to eat about 20 kg of vegetables per day. Therefore, many dietary supplements containing phytosterols may help to achieve the necessary amounts to improve health.
According to studies, an average intake of 3-2 grams of phytosterols in a diet supplement per day leads to a reduction in cholesterol (by 15% -10%) and of "bad" cholesterol - LDL (by 14% -10%).
Therefore, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized food companies to argue that phytosterols may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels, as part of a diet where saturated fat and cholesterol are low. This means that the FDA has actually confirmed that phytosterols are safe for use in foods and supplements.
However, it is important to remember that alongside phytosterols, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and exercise.
