Cholesterol frequently asked questions

Cholesterol Frequently Asked Questions

Does Soy Reduce Cholesterol? – by Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D., Ph.D. Possibly. While consuming soy-based foods may slightly reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol, the American Heart Association has concluded that soy does not significantly lower cholesterol levels. However, eating soy-based foods can still be beneficial for you because soy products contain less saturated fat than meat and also provide other beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Are Eggs Good or Bad for Cholesterol? – by Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D., Ph.D. Chicken eggs are high in cholesterol, and a diet high in cholesterol can contribute to elevated cholesterol levels in the blood, which can vary from person to person.

Although eating many eggs may also increase your cholesterol level, consuming four egg yolks or fewer once a week has not been determined to increase the risk of heart disease.

To decide whether to include eggs in your diet, consider the recommended daily limits on dietary cholesterol: If you are healthy, it is recommended that you limit your cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams (mg) per day. If you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or a high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) in your blood, you should limit your cholesterol to less than 200 mg per day. A large egg contains about 186 mg of cholesterol, which is found entirely in the yolk.

Therefore, if you eat one egg on a given day, it is important to limit other sources of cholesterol for the rest of that day. Consider substituting vegetable portions for meat portions, or avoiding high-fat dairy products for that day. If you enjoy eggs but want to avoid excess cholesterol, use only egg whites. Egg whites contain no cholesterol. You can also use cholesterol-free egg substitutes, which are made with egg whites.