What you should know about cholesterol

What do you think of when you hear the word cholesterol? You might give a little shudder, throw all the eggs in the bin and then wonder why you really need to care so much.

The truth is, not all cholesterol is bad, and we need it so our bodies can function properly.

Learn the facts about cholesterol so you can improve your health outcomes.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is produced by the liver and circulates around the body through the blood. While some cholesterol comes from food, around 3/4 of it is naturally produced in your body.¹

Cholesterol is transported in the blood as:²

• low-density lipoprotein (LDL): This is the bad cholesterol that tends to stick to your artery walls, causing a build-up of fatty deposits.
• high-density lipoprotein (HDL): This is the good cholesterol that helps to ‘sweep’ fatty deposits from your arteries. HDL takes excess cholesterol to the liver, where it is broken down and removed from your body.

Every cell in our bodies needs a small amount of cholesterol. It helps to:

• build cell membranes
• produce certain hormones, including oestrogen and testosterone
• produce vitamin D
• create bile acids, which help your body digest fat and absorb nutrients.

But too much LDL cholesterol can lead to a build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries. This is called atherosclerosis, and it increases the risk of:

• heart attack and heart disease
• stroke
• peripheral artery disease (which can affect blood flow to the legs)
• chronic kidney disease.³

There are several factors that impact how much bad cholesterol is in our blood. Some are beyond our control, like age and family history. Others are easier to influence, such as:

• diet
• weight
• physical fitness and activity levels
• smoking.

When it comes to high LDL levels, the dietary culprits are saturated and trans fats.

Eggs, for instance, contain quite a lot of cholesterol. In the past, people with high cholesterol were advised to avoid eggs. But guidelines from the Heart Foundation suggest that people with high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes or known heart disease can safely eat up to 7 eggs per week.⁴ It’s important to limit your intake of saturated and/or trans fats. These are found in foods like:

• deep fried and fast foods
• processed meats, including bacon and sausage
• fatty meats and chicken skin
• butter and cream
• desserts, such as ice cream, cakes and pastries
• coconut and palm oils.

High cholesterol doesn’t cause symptoms, but it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Your doctor may recommend a blood test to check your cholesterol if you:

• are 45 years or older
• are 30 years or older and of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
• have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease
• have other risk factors.

If your cholesterol is too high, there are ways to lower it. These include:

• adjusting your diet
• exercising more
• quitting smoking
• taking cholesterol-lowering medication.

Lifestyle changes can make a big difference and help bring your cholesterol back into a healthy range.