Cholesterol Myths and Facts

There are many myths regarding cholesterol. Increased intake of foods high in cholesterol and animal fats are dangerous to your heart is nothing but one of such cholesterol myth. Most of the people know that increased cholesterol blocks the arteries increasing the risk of heart attacks. But they don't know the complexities of cholesterol. This half knowledge regarding cholesterol has given rise to many cholesterol myths.

In this article we will reveal the facts or realities about these cholesterol myths.

Cholesterol Myth #1: Eating Foods High in Cholesterol Increases Blood Cholesterol Levels

This is one of the most popular cholesterol myths. It says that when you eat foods high in cholesterol, it winds up in your blood. And if the cholesterol level in the blood increases the arteries may block. Therefore you should not eat foods high in cholesterol. It also says that high cholesterol is dangerous.

But the fact is that consuming foods high in cholesterol has little or no effect on blood cholesterol levels on over two third of the total population. In others it may increase blood cholesterol levels but it is packaged safely into large and buoyant lipoproteins, which are resistant to oxidation. They stay out of the vessel wall in the blood. High cholesterol is not dangerous by itself. But an unfavorable ratio of good and bad cholesterol may be dangerous.

Cholesterol Myth #2: High Cholesterol may occur as a Result of High-Saturated Fat Meal.

Another myth regarding cholesterol says that eating high-saturated fat meal that include too much of meat, eggs and carbohydrates may increase your cholesterol levels. It may harm the functioning of arteries and promote inflammation.

The fact is that high cholesterol can occur even in the people taking healthy diets and in vegetarians. Studies even show that eating 1-2 eggs a day has a little or no effect on cholesterol levels and functioning of arteries.

Cholesterol Myth #3: People having Heart Attacks have High Cholesterol.

This cholesterol myth says that the people with a previous history of heart attacks have high cholesterol levels.

The fact is that even if high cholesterol level increases the risk of heart attacks, some people with low or normal cholesterol levels may also develop heart disease and have heart attacks.

Cholesterol Myth #4: High Cholesterol Levels Cause Stroke

This cholesterol myth says that high cholesterol levels can cause stroke and therefore in order to avoid it you should eat foods low in cholesterol.

The fact is that high cholesterol level increases the risk of ischemic stroke but decreases the risk of the more deadly and dangerous hemorrhagic stroke.

Cholesterol Myth #5: Cholesterol Levels may be controlled through a Low-fat Diet and Exercise.

This cholesterol myth says that by following a low-fat diet or by cutting out cholesterol containing foods and by doing regular exercise you can control your cholesterol levels.

In some people low-fat diet and exercise may help in lowering cholesterol levels. But in some cases it may not work. You have to take certain medications to lower cholesterol levels. The cholesterol in the blood not only comes from your diet but also from your liver. Therefore cutting out cholesterol containing foods may have little or no effect on cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol Myth #6: Young People can't have High Cholesterol

This cholesterol myth says that young people can't have high cholesterol levels and therefore are at lower risk of developing heart diseases.

The fact is that everybody above the age 20 can have high cholesterol levels and can also develop heart diseases. It is found that during teenage, plaque can build up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart.