home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- This is a FAST ACCESS VERSION of a RUTGERS COOPERATIVE
- EXTENSION FACT SHEET. Because of the mode of transmission it
- is possible that certain graphics intended to be included with
- the original FACT SHEET have been deleted. You can obtain the
- complete FACT SHEET from any county office of RUTGERS
- COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
-
- CHOLESTEROL
-
- Audrey C. Burkart, Ed.D., R.D., CHE
- Specialist in Food and Nutrition
-
- WHAT IS IT?
-
- * Cholesterol is a compound that is related to the lipid
- (fat) family of nutrients and is found in every cell
- in the body.
-
- * The liver produces about 80 percent of the body's
- cholesterol. About 20 percent comes from dietary
- sources.
-
- * Cholesterol travels through the body via the blood
- attached to a protein. These cholesterol/protein
- packages are called lipoproteins.
-
- * Genetics partially determine the amount of cholesterol
- found in the blood. Other factors affecting the blood
- cholesterol level include diet, age, sex, weight,
- exercise, family history, stress, alcohol, uric acid
- blood levels, and season of the year.
-
- * Every physical examination should include a blood test
- for cholesterol.
-
- WHAT IT DOES
-
- * In the body, cholesterol is part of: (1) the bile
- acids which are needed for the digestion of fats and,
- (2) the structure of brain and nerve cells.
- Cholesterol also plays a role in the production of sex
- and other hormones.
-
- * Cholesterol is also part of a hard substance called
- plaque that can build up in the arteries causing them
- to become narrow. When this happens, atherosclerosis
- develops. When arteries become narrow, the blood
- supply is reduced and the risk of developing coronary
- heart disease and stroke is increased.
-
- HOW MUCH CHOLESTEROL SHOULD COME FROM THE DIET?
-
- The American Heart Association recommends no more than
- 300 milligrams per day. The average diet contains 600-
- 800 mg per day.
-
- WHERE IS IT FOUND?
-
- * Cholesterol is found in animal foods that contain fat.
- Therefore, eating fewer high-fat foods from animal
- sources, or foods prepared with such fats, can help
- to lower blood cholesterol level.
-
- The following chart lists the cholesterol value of some foods:
- ______________________________________________________________
- FOODS SUGGESTED CHOLESTEROL/
- SERVING SIZE SERVING
- Milligrams
- ______________________________________________________________
-
- Fruit juices, nectars,
- cocktails, drinks, & ades 1/2 to 3/4 cup 0
-
- Fruits fresh, canned, frozen 1/2 cup 0
-
- Vegetables fresh, canned, frozen
- (made without cream sauces or
- gravies, battered or friend
- in animal fat) 1/2 cup 0
-
- Pasta and rice 1/2 to 3/4 cup 0
-
- Cold and hot cereals 1/2 to 3/4 cup 0
-
- White and yellow cornmeal 1/2 cup 0
-
- Vegetable oils any amount 0
-
- Margarines made with
- vegetable oils 2 tsp. 0
-
- Egg white any amount 0
-
- Dried peas and beans 1/2 to 3/4 cup 0
-
- Breads, biscuits, rolls 1 slice, 1 roll 1-5
-
- Milk and milk products,
- low-fat 1 cup, 1 ounce 5-20
-
- Danish, sweet rolls, buns,
- muffins 1 7-90
-
- Milk and milk products,
- regular 1 cup, 1 ounce 10-30
-
- Finfish 3 oz raw 10-110
-
- Shellfish 3 oz raw 30-200
-
- Butter 1 tbsp. 31
-
- Poultry (chicken and turkey) 3 oz raw 40-50
-
- Beef, lamb, pork (lean only) 3 oz raw 65-90
-
- Egg yolk 1 275
-
- Liver (beef) 3 oz fried 410
- ______________________________________________________________
-
- TIPS ON HOW TO REDUCE YOUR CHOLESTEROL INTAKE
-
- * Season cooked vegetables with herbs, spices, or lemon
- juice rather than with sauces or butter.
-
- * Broil or bake meats rather than frying.
-
- * Serve low and nonfat milk and dairy products.
-
- * Eat fewer commercially prepared baked goods and mixes
- that contain whole milk and eggs.
-
- * Serve liver and other organ meats only occasionally.
-
- * Serve lean fish, poultry, and meat.
-
- * Include more dried peas and beans as protein foods in
- menus.
-
- HELPFUL REFERENCES
-
- * The American Heart Association Cookbook; 1973; David
- McKay Company, Inc., New York.
-
- * American Diabetes Association and the American
- Dietetic Association: Family Cookbook Vol. II; 1987;
- Prentice Hall Press, New York. (Includes cholesterol
- values of recipes.)
-
- * Information in this reference appears with the understanding
- that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by
- RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION is implied.
-