Myth #14: Cholesterol Is Bad For You

Here is a classic example of how oversimplification tends to make matters worse. And in this case, mass disinformation is often exploited by food manufacturers to sell what they want us to think is "safe food."

There are actually several forms of lipids or fats in the human body, and their ability to influence wellness or disease depends on maintaining an optimal balance among them. Cholesterol for example, can be divided into low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

It is the LDL cholesterol that coats and hardens the linings of our arteries, progressively causing blockade and impeding the blood supply to critical organs such as the brain, kidneys, and heart; hence the term "bad" cholesterol. Among other things, the LDL cholesterol level is what your doctor frequently looks at to determine your likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.

On the other hand, HDL cholesterol lowers your risk of having a stroke or heart attack by countering the effects of the LDL variety. Exercising regularly and consuming greater amounts of niacin and cold-water fish like salmon have been shown to increase our HDL levels to various degrees, while a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet, obesity, and smoking all deplete this "good" cholesterol.

In short, do not believe everything they say on the labels. Low-cholesterol foods are not always the healthy alternative. Stay tuned.