Abstract
High blood cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors for atherosclerosis. Blood cholesterol level is affected by a number of factors, including genetics, diet, tobacco use, level of physical activity, age, and menopause. Cholesterol is carried in the blood by macromolecular complexes called lipoproteins, which consist of a protein moiety (apolipoprotein) and also include, besides cholesterol, phospholipids, and triacylglycerol. A key determinant of cardiovascular risk is low-density lipoprotein (LDL) blood concentration. In turn, dietary fat quality and quantity is a major factor affecting LDL levels. Recent studies have shown that polyunsaturated fatty acids tend to reduce LDL cholesterol when replacing saturated fat in the diet.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition |
Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
Pages | 335-340 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Volume | 1-4 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780123848857 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780123750839 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2012 |
Keywords
- Atherosclerosis
- Cholesterol
- Coronary artery disease
- Dietary fat
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Saturated fat
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine