About Cholesterol

6 million Australians are said to have high cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is made by the liver and is used to build cell membranes and hormones. We don't need to eat foods that contain cholesterol because the body can produce all that it needs. It's possible however to have too much cholesterol in the blood stream if the diet includes foods that are high in saturated fat. This can block the flow of blood and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

However, not all cholesterol is bad. To travel through the bloodstream, cholesterol attaches itself to certain proteins. The combination of fats and proteins are called lipoproteins. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is said to be the 'bad' cholesterol that goes into the bloodstream and clogs up the arteries. High density lipoprotein (LDL) however is referred to as 'good' cholesterol because it helps to take the bad cholesterol out of the blood stream. The objective is to get the right ratio of good to bad cholesterol and keep overall amounts at an acceptable level.

Cholesterol is usually measured as total serum cholesterol with Australian health authorities recommending that cholesterol levels should be no higher than 5.5mmols per litre. Because the level of HDL cholesterol is so important, many doctors also look at the ratio of total cholesterol level to HDL cholesterol level to assess the risks.

Management of Cholesterol

The best way to maintain a healthy cholesterol level is to avoid foods that are high in saturated fat including fatty meats, full fat dairy products, processed meats and snack foods. You should also limit alcohol intake to less than two standard glasses a day, don't smoke, exercise regularly and maintain a health weight.

Some foods including oats, legumes, nuts, cereals, fruit, sunflower and canola seeds and vegetable oils (in small amounts) actually help to lower levels of LDL cholesterol.

For some people, diet and lifestyle changes are not enough and your doctor may prescribe medication.

Vitamins for Cholesterol

Vitamins with evidence of benefit for Cholesterol treatment include:

• Policosanol
• Omega-3 (Flaxseed Oil)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

Policosanol

Policosanol is a natural product that is made from the waxy coating of sugar cane. It has been shown to be effective in lowering levels of LDL and overall levels of cholesterol and has been shown to increase levels of HDL.

A single daily dose of 5 mg to 10 mg of Policosanol is said to significantly reduce total cholesterol by between 8 per cent and 18 per cent. It has also been shown to reduced LDL cholesterol by between 11 per cent and 28 per cent and increase HDL cholesterol by between 17 per cent and 29 per cent.

Omega-3 (Flaxseed Oil)

Omega-3s are poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Studies have shown that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may help lower LDL and increase HDL cholesterol.

Omega-3s are commonly found in fish and fish oil as well as Flaxseed oil. There is no formal recommended daily amount, however standard dosage of flaxseed oil (most common ingestion method) is 1 tablespoon of oil 2-3 times daily with meals.

Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Vitamins C and E are antioxidants which help to protect the body from the effects of oxidation of LDL cholesterol

Recommended daily dosage is 60mg of vitamin c and 10mg of vitamin E per day.

Where to get help

Your doctor is the first port of call.

Disclaimer

Healthy Comparisons does not give or purport to give any medical or healthcare advice and is not qualified to do so. You should not under any circumstances substitute qualified medical advice with information found in this fact sheet. The information contained in this fact sheet does not take into account the physical state, medical status or health requirements of any particular individual which are relevant to the proper diagnosis and treatment of any problem, condition or disorder. You should never use or act upon this information without first properly consulting, and seeking proper information and advice from, a qualified healthcare professional. Healthy Comparisons, its related companies and its licensors expressly disclaim all responsibility for and liability in respect of the accuracy of the information provided in the website, its improper application and the consequences of anyone's failure to obtain a proper medical examination and advice from a qualified healthcare professional in the relevant circumstances.

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