Cholesterol

Maintaining a healthy diet is indeed crucial for preventing heart disease and stroke, and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is an essential part of that. A well-balanced and nutritious diet can significantly reduce the risk of developing these cardiovascular conditions. Here are some key points to consider:

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True/False - Quiz: Do You Understand Cholesterol?

Quiz: Do You Understand Cholesterol?

Test your knowledge by answering the following questions:

Questions

True

False

Eating more insoluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream.

Explanation:

Eating more soluble fiber (found in foods such as Brussels sprouts, oatmeal, apples and kidney beans) can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream.

There may be a link between cholesterol and depression.

Explanation:

Research dating back to the 90s shows that low levels of HDL cholesterol (sometimes called "good cholesterol") is significantly lower in many patients with major depressive disorder than in non-depressed patients.

Being overweight or obese can increase the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in your blood.

Explanation:

Being overweight or obese can increase LDL, which is the kind of lipoprotein that's been linked to heart disease. LDL is often referred to as the "bad cholesterol", because a high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries.

Your body doesn't need any cholesterol to function properly.

Explanation:

Your body does need some types of cholesterol to stay healthy. For example, cholesterol is essential in building cells and making hormones. However, while HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke, LDL cholesterol raises it.

Saturated fat is a bad fat, because it raises your LDL levels.

Explanation:

Saturated fat actually raises your LDL levels more than anything else in your diet. It is found in red meat, dairy products, deep-fried foods and processed foods.

How to Reduce Saturated Fats

Lowering dietary saturated fat is one of the key recommendations to improve heart health. Here are some specific tips to reduce saturated fat intake: