Cholesterol
The best selling drugs these days are cholesterol-lowering drugs. Why? Because high cholesterol is a health risk for atherosclerosis and heart diseases. The good news is that the risk can be reversed by lowering the cholesterol level in a person.
Cholesterol can’t dissolve in the blood and has to be transported to and from cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are several kinds but the two to focus on are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
What is LDL cholesterol?
Low-density lipoprotein is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. In excess, it builds up in the walls of the arteries, causing it to form a plaque that can clog those arteries. That is why it is called the “BAD” cholesterol. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol reflect a lower risk of heart disease.
What is HDL cholesterol?
About a-third of the blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries back to the liver, where it is excreted from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from the plaque and thus slows down their growth. HDL cholesterol is hence known as the “GOOD” cholesterol as a high level seems to protect against heart disease. Conversely a low level of HDL (less than 40 mg/ml) indicates a greater risk.
Cholesterol and diet
The body makes its own cholesterol. In addition, cholesterol is obtained from food: from animal sources such as egg yolk, meat (especially organ meats like liver, brain and kidney), poultry, fish and high fat milk products. We should try to consume less than 300 mg of cholesterol a day.
Table : The Cholesterol Content in Common Foods.
(Per 100 GM. FOOD)
Nature of Food
|
Content
In MG
|
Nature of Food
|
Content
In MG
|
Quail egg
|
3,640
|
Fat Beef
|
125
|
Pig brain
|
3,100
|
Goat/lamb fat
|
89-122
|
Ox brain
|
2,300
|
Pomfret
|
120
|
Egg yolk
|
2,000
|
Lard
|
110
|
Cuttle fish
|
1,170
|
Butter
|
110
|
Lamb liver
|
610
|
Pigeon
|
110
|
Fish liver oil
|
500
|
Suet
|
90-107
|
Shellfish
|
454
|
Beef
|
106
|
Whole egg
|
450
|
Pig’s spare ribs
|
105
|
Pig liver
|
420
|
Ham
|
100
|
Ox kidney
|
400
|
Yellow fish
|
98
|
Pig kidney
|
380
|
Trench
|
98
|
Ox liver
|
376
|
Crucian
|
90
|
Squid
|
348
|
Duck
|
70-90
|
Cream
|
300
|
Chicken
|
60-90
|
Tape fish
|
244
|
Sole
|
87
|
Lamprey
|
186
|
Salmon
|
86
|
Clam
|
180
|
Conger
|
85
|
Crab
|
164
|
Lamb/mutton
|
70
|
Shrimp/prawn
|
154
|
Rabbit meat
|
65
|
Pig stomach
|
150
|
Tapron fish
|
63
|
Chinese sausages
|
150
|
Goat
|
60
|
Pig intestines
|
150
|
Lean pork
|
60
|
Ox stomach
|
150
|
Lamb’s stomach
|
41
|
Ox heart
|
140
|
Milk
|
24
|
Veal
|
140
|
Sea jelly
|
24
|
Cheese
|
140
|
Sea cucumber
|
0
|
Pork
|
126
|
Egg white
|
0
|
Source: Tee ES, Ng TKW, Chong YH, Medical Journal Malaysia 1979; 33: 334-336
 |
| Quail eggs |
Table: Cholesterol Content of Malaysian ready-to-eat meals
Name of Food
|
Cholesterol
(MG)
100 GM.EDIBLE PORTION
|
Rendang Hati
|
215.0
|
Fried Mee
|
159.4
|
Dosai with Mee
|
84.8
|
Sambal with Egg
|
79.0
|
Fried Kueh Tiau with Cockles
|
64.8
|
Lup Cheong
|
55.8
|
Satay
|
54.8
|
Fried Rice (Chinese style)
|
47.7
|
Mutton Curry
|
46.8
|
Dumpling-Big Pau
|
46.3
|
Dumpling-Siew Yoke Pau
|
17.3
|
Fried Kueh Tiau (Hokkien style)
|
16.9
|
Chicken rice
|
13.7
|
Dumpling - Char Siew Pau
|
13.0
|
Nasi Briyani
|
11.0
|
Char Siew Rice
|
10.9
|
Loh Mai Kai
|
10.5
|
Nasi Lemak
|
7.0
|
Curry Laksa
|
6.8
|
Source: Tee ES, Ng TKW, Chong YH, .Medical Journal Malaysia 1979; 33: 334-336
 |
| Rendang Hati |
Cholesterol Testing
Researchers have established healthy ranges for cholesterol levels. Tests should be done after a 9-12 hour fast, testing for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (blood fats).
If fasting is not possible, the values for total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol are acceptable.
Table: Initial Classification based on total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.
Total Cholesterol Level
|
Category
|
|
Desirable level that puts you at lower risk for heart disease. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dl or higher raises your risk.
|
|
Borderline high
|
|
High blood cholesterol. A person with this level has more than twice the risk of heart disease as someone whose cholesterol is below 200 mg/dl
|
HDL Cholesterol Level
|
Category
|
|
Low HDL cholesterol. A major risk factor for heart disease.
|
|
The higher your HDL the better.
|
|
High HDL cholesterol. A HDL of 60 mg/dl and above is considered protective against heart disease.
|
Source: Cholesterol, Lowering the Levels (American Heart Association)
If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dl or more, or your HDL cholesterol is less than 40 mg/dl, you may need to do check your LDL cholesterol if not already tested and also to test for your triglyceride levels.
Table
LDL Cholesterol level
|
Category
|
Less than 100 mg/dl (2.6 mmol/L)
|
Optimal
|
100-129 mg/dl (2.6-3.3 mmol/L)
|
Near or above optimal
|
130-159 mg/dl (3.3-4.1 mmol/L)
|
Borderline high
|
160-189 mg/dl (4.1-4.9 mmol/L)
|
High
|
190 mg/dl (4.9 mmol/L) and above
|
Very High
|
Source: Cholesterol, Lowering the Levels (American Heart Association)
