Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a __________ substance (a lipid). It is a substance made by the __________ and found in the __________. The amount of cholesterol produced by the liver depends on a combination of __________ and __________ factors.

High levels of cholesterol in the blood increase the risk of disease of the __________ and __________ vessels.

Cholesterol is carried around the body by two types of lipoproteins:

• Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
  • These are __________ cholesterol
  • LDLs deposits cholesterol __________ the liver, on the __________ walls, causing the formation of a hard, thick substance called cholesterol plaque.
  • This can lead to __________ disease
• High-density lipoproteins (HDLs)
  • These are __________ cholesterol.
  • HDL’s extract cholesterol from the __________ walls and disposing of them through the liver.

It is the __________ of these is very important to good heart health.

Some foods naturally contain cholesterol, but it is the amount of saturated fat we eat that has the greatest effect on our cholesterol level.

Type of Fat	Number of double bonds	Effect on Cholesterol	Found in
Saturated	None	__________	__________ eg Lard, Butter
Monounsaturated	__________	Slight decrease	__________ Oils and Spreads eg Sunflower / Olive Oil, Flora
Pollyunsaturated	Many	__________

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may help both to __________ blood cholesterol levels and to improve the balance between LDLs and HDLs.