According to Dr. Sanjay Sengupta, a cardiologist at Fortis Hospital, Anandapur (India), cholesterol is often misunderstood as a bad factor for health, but in fact, it is an essential part of the body. Cholesterol helps create hormones, vitamin D and digestive aids. However, the amount of cholesterol needed in the diet must be controlled to maintain good health.
Cholesterol in the diet
Cholesterol is a fat produced by the liver and found in body cells. It helps the body create hormones, bile acids and digestive aids. When we eat foods containing cholesterol, the body will absorb it and take it to the liver for processing.
Dr. Sanjay Sengupta says that blood cholesterol levels can vary differently in each person. For some people, eating a lot of cholesterol can increase blood cholesterol levels, while others may not be affected much.
Recommended daily cholesterol intake
According to health organizations, there is no specific limit on the amount of cholesterol consumed daily by healthy people. However, the National Lipid Association recommends not consuming more than 200-300 mg of cholesterol per day.
Dr. Sengupta also emphasized that these recommendations are applied to healthy adults. People with high cholesterol, heart disease or other health conditions may need to monitor and follow more strict instructions on dietary cholesterol.
Too little cholesterol can also be harmful
Although high cholesterol levels can cause cardiovascular problems, too low cholesterol levels can also cause some serious health problems. Cholesterol plays an important role in the production of hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone and sex hormones. It is also necessary for the production of bile acids, which aid digestion and absorption of fat. In addition, cholesterol is an important component of brain cell function.
If cholesterol levels are too low, problems can occur such as:
Fatigue and mood swings.
Reduced sexual desire.
Decreased absorption of vitamins A, D, E, K.
Neurological problems such as depression, anxiety and cognitive decline.
Note
Cholesterol is an essential factor for the body, but cholesterol levels in the diet need to be maintained at a reasonable level. Consuming too much cholesterol can lead to cardiovascular problems, while too little cholesterol can also cause important physical dysfunction. To maintain healthy cholesterol levels, you should adjust your diet, choose healthy foods and consult your doctor or health professional to have a diet that is suitable for your personal health condition.
