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- $Unique_ID{BRK00157}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Does Cholesterol Do In Your Body?}
- $Subject{cholesterol functions sources Circulatory System blood circulation
- fatty fat foods food arteries atherosclerosis heart attacks attack strokes
- stroke Diet Diets fats Saturated artery}
- $Volume{G-7}
- $Log{
- Cholesterol*0002700.tid
- How Cholesterol Levels Affect the Arteries*0002701.scf
- HDL Transports Cholesterol Back to the Liver*0002702.scf
- Types of Ischemic Strokes I*0006901.scf
- Atherosclerosis of Arteries*0009301.scf
- Risk Factors of Atherosclerosis*0009302.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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-
- What Does Cholesterol Do In Your Body?
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-
- QUESTION: It can't be all bad and it must be there for some good reason.
- What does cholesterol do in your body? What do you do when there is too much
- of it for body needs?
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-
- ANSWER: Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver which meets
- the body's needs for hormones and bile acids. However, it also enters the
- body when you eat high-fat foods, and when your cholesterol level becomes
- higher than necessary for normal cell functioning, it may accumulate in your
- blood. From there, it circulates to the arteries where it is deposited on the
- inner surface of the vessels. These deposits, known as plaque, cause
- atherosclerosis--a major factor in heart attacks and strokes.
- Diet can be a key element in preventing or reversing atherosclerosis.
- For cholesterol levels greater than 200 mg/dl, there are diets designed to
- reduce blood cholesterol. Saturated fats found in beef, pork, eggs, and
- high-fat dairy products should be eaten in limited quantities. Only five to
- seven ounces of meat should be consumed a day, increasing the amount of fish
- and skinless chicken to that of red meat. When you buy meat, select lean cuts
- and trim all the fat. Plan one or two meatless dinners each week, and cook
- your foods with as little fat or oil as possible. Olive oil and peanut oil
- are the best choices. Eat no more than two eggs a week, use low-fat milk and
- cheese, and substitute polyunsaturated margarine for butter. As a final
- dietary suggestion, eat more fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain breads
- and cereals. They contain little or no cholesterol and are high in fiber.
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- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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-