Elevated cholesterol levels have been blamed for coronary heart disease, the most common cause of heart attack. Cholesterol's role in this condition, and the proper management of it, is one that engenders considerable controversy in health care. This is reasonable when one considers that people react differently to the same diet, i.e., every person has "biochemical individuality."

There is no universal proper approach, yet many food advertisements lead one to believe that management of cholesterol levels consists of simply using the food product being advertised. A sound approach considers many factors, as well as the individuality of each person.

For some people the American Heart Association's diet is a proper approach. It is low in cholesterol and saturated fat. To reduce saturated fat, unsaturated fat is substituted, not to exceed 10% of the total calories. This major dietary change for the general population is not accepted by the National Research Council, which comments on the dietary recommendations of the American Heart Association and the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, "Unfortunately the benefit of altering the diet to this extent has not been established."

It is important to understand some of the many factors important in cholesterol regulation. A diet good for one person may not be proper for another because of hereditary factors, again a person's biochemical individuality. Some need to restrict their cholesterol intake severely, whereas in others restriction makes little difference.

Let Valley Wide Health Centers help with your cholesterol problem.