High blood or serum cholesterol levels (above about 200 mg/deciliter) are believed to increase the risk of heart disease, but many experts are no longer convinced the data support this assumption. Rather, we need to pay more attention to the types of cholesterol in the blood. Low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are more predictive of future heart disease than are high total serum cholesterol levels. And unfortunately, reducing certain types of fats in the diet to lower the more harmful LDLs (low-density lipoproteins) tends to lower HDLs as well. When olive oil is substituted for saturated fats, however, total serum cholesterol levels decline while HDLs are maintained.
High blood or serum cholesterol levels (above about 200
mg/deciliter) are believed to increase the risk of heart disease,
but many experts are no longer convinced the data support this
assumption. Rather, we need to pay more attention to the types...
More
Eric Olsen answered:High blood or serum cholesterol levels (above about 200 mg/deciliter) are believed to increase the risk of heart disease, but many experts are no longer convinced the data support this assumption. Rather, we need to pay more attention to the types of cholesterol in the blood. Low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are more predictive of future heart disease than are high total serum cholesterol levels. And unfortunately, reducing certain types of fats in the diet to lower the more harmful LDLs (low-density lipoproteins) tends to lower HDLs as well. When olive oil is substituted for saturated fats, however, total serum cholesterol levels decline while HDLs are maintained.
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