The cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance our body uses to protect nerves, make cell tissues and produce certain hormones. Most of the cholesterol in our body is made by our liver. Some cholesterol also comes from foods such as eggs, meats and dairy products.

Why is a high cholesterol level unhealthy?

While some cholesterol is needed for good health, too much cholesterol in our blood can raise our risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

The extra cholesterol in our blood may be stored in our arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from our heart to the rest of our body). Buildup of cholesterol, or "plaque," in our arteries will cause them to narrow. This is called atherosclerosis. Large deposits of cholesterol can completely block an artery, so the blood can't flow through.

If the coronary artery (the blood vessel that supplies blood to the muscles in your heart) becomes blocked, a heart attack can occur. If an artery that supplies blood to your brain becomes blocked, a stroke can occur.

Cholesterol in food

• Food with a big amount of cholestherol: pork,sausages,ham,lamb,goose-pimples,yolk,seafood,bacon,croissants.
• Food with a small amount of cholestherol: hake,cod,beef,ox,horse,rabbit,milk without grass.
• Food without cholestherol:cereals,rice,sweetcorn,potatos,fruits,vegetables,oil olive,sweetcorn olive,milk,yogourt.
• Food with "good" cholestherol:nuts,olive oil, black chocolat,blue fish(sardine,mackerel).