Cholesterol is bad, eggs are unhealthy and children cannot have high cholesterol - do you know such statements? What's true and what's absolute nonsense? We have checked the top 6.
Even if you think you know almost everything there is to know about cholesterol, there's bound to be one or two things you haven't heard about. Check out these common facts about high levels.
Table of contents
Myth 1: Eggs are evil
Yes, it's true: Eggs have a lot of cholesterol. Up to 200 mg - that's two-thirds of the recommended daily amount of 300 mg per day. But the one we take in with food isn't nearly as bad as you think. Very little of it ends up in your bloodstream.
And if the cholesterol you take in through food is high, your body compensates by producing less of it.
So eating eggs is not harmful. In fact, eggs are excellent sources of protein and contain many unsaturated fats.
A study by the American Advisory Committee on Official Dietary Guidelines states: There is "no significant correlation between cholesterol in food and cholesterol levels in the blood". An overdose from eggs can therefore be ruled out.
Myth 2: Food is only healthy for the heart if it contains 0 mg cholesterol
Saturated fats (found mainly in animal foods like meat and milk) and trans fats (found mainly in baked goods) have a major impact on our LDL cholesterol game.
Our body stops the production of endogenous cholesterol when we consume too much through food. Excess is simply excreted.
In fact, in order to function properly, our bodies need a certain level of cholesterol.
Myth 3: Cholesterol is always bad
Most people immediately associate the word with something very negative. Like most things in life, however, you have to look at it from several angles.
Too high cholesterol can be dangerous. But cholesterol itself is not inherently evil. It is involved in many bodily functions and is a building block for the membranes of cells and mitochondria. It is also a precursor for vitamin D and thus responsible for the incorporation of calcium in bones and teeth.
Myth 4: Children can not have elevated cholesterol
Most people think high cholesterol is a problem that mainly adults struggle with. However, this is not true. Many studies have shown that even young children can be affected by high cholesterol - mostly when they are overweight.
These children must follow a strict diet and largely avoid animal fats.
More and more young adults between the ages of 25 and 29 are also suffering from high cholesterol levels. Just this year Statista.com data collected. Already 40.5 % of all men in this age have too high values. Among the 30-39 year olds, it is even half.
Myth 5: Europeans have one of the highest cholesterol levels
Even though more and more people in Europe are suffering from obesity, we are lucky at least as far as cholesterol levels are concerned.
These are the top countries for high values: Colombia - here the average value for men is a dangerous 244 mg/dL. Second place is shared by women in Israel, Libya, Norway and Uruguay - their cholesterol level is 232 mg/dL.
By the way, values below 200 mg/dL are considered normal.
Myth 6: Cholesterol only comes from high-fat food
High cholesterol levels can also be genetic. But they can also be the result of diseases and too little exercise. High-fat food (saturated fats) also promotes high values.
Contributed image: depositphotos.com/suslik83
To browse further:
* Advertising & affiliate links: Our website is financed by advertising and affiliate links. As a partner of linked stores (e.g. Amazon) we earn from qualified sales.
Read more