Does vegetable oil contain cholesterol? What is cholesterol and why is it dangerous?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Today even children are familiar with the concept of "cholesterol". TV commercials trumpet its he alth hazards, and the heroes of the commercials are hard at work fighting it. Nevertheless, many probably do not know what cholesterol is and why it is dangerous. We heard that it negatively affects he alth and that it is necessary to maintain it in the norm, and that's it, knowledge ends there. Cholesterol is so related to the word "bad" that it has become this very "bad". But in fact, it is the most important substance in the human body, an integral part of the cell membranes of organs and tissues. And cholesterol has its harmful effect only in case of exceeding the norm. What does norm mean? What can cause an increase in cholesterol? Is there cholesterol in vegetable oil? We will answer these and other questions for you.

On the nature of cholesterol

Physicallycholesterol is a liquid crystal, chemically - high molecular weight alcohol. When cholesterol was proven to be an alcohol, the scientific community renamed it cholesterol. Everyone knows such compounds as methanol and ethanol. So the suffix "ol" indicates that these compounds are alcohols, like, in fact, cholesterol. This is how it is called in many countries. However, some states, including Russia, have retained the old name, so we still check blood cholesterol levels instead of cholesterol.

Why do we need cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an organic compound that performs several important functions in the body. Firstly, it contributes to the strength of cells, maintains their shape. Secondly, cholesterol is needed for the production of vitamin D. The latter ensures the supply of calcium and phosphorus from foods and prevents pathologies of the skeletal system. Thirdly, cholesterol is necessary for the production of hormones. It is on its basis that steroid hormones are formed that regulate vital processes. In particular, these are sex hormones - androgens, estrogens, progesterone. Fourth, cholesterol is the basis for the formation of bile acids, which play a major role in the breakdown and absorption of fats. And finally, cholesterol protects nerve cells from damage, which ensures a stable emotional background for a person. Approximately 80% of cholesterol is produced by the body itself. The liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, intestines, sex glands - all these organs are involved in its synthesis. The remaining 20% mustreceive with food. It should, because the lack of cholesterol, as well as its excess, adversely affect he alth. Approximately 80% of cholesterol is converted into bile. Another 15% goes to strengthen cells, and 5% are involved in the production of hormones and vitamins.

"Bad" and "good" cholesterol

Cholesterol is insoluble in H₂O, so it cannot be delivered to the tissues in water-based blood. Transport proteins help him with this. The combination of such proteins with cholesterol is called lipoproteins. Depending on the level of their dissolution in the circulatory system, high density lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) are distinguished. The former dissolve in the blood without sediment and serve to form bile. The latter are "carriers" of cholesterol to different tissues. High-density compounds are usually referred to as "good" cholesterol, low-density - to "bad".

What does imbalance lead to?

Unused cholesterol (one that has not been converted into bile and not used for the synthesis of hormones and vitamins) is excreted from the body. Approximately 1000 mg of cholesterol should be synthesized in the body daily, and 100 mg should be excreted. In this case, we can talk about the balance of cholesterol. In those cases when a person receives more than he needs with food, or when the liver is out of order, free low-density lipoproteins accumulate in the blood and on the walls of blood vessels, narrowing the lumen. Violation of the normal process of production, absorption and excretion of cholesterol leads to diseases such asobesity, hypertension, atherosclerosis, cholelithiasis, liver and kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, etc.

What is the danger of "bad" cholesterol?

Most of the people in our country die due to cardiovascular disease, the culprit of which is "bad" cholesterol. Liver disease and nutritional errors can provoke its accumulation. In the blood, the amount of lipoproteins increases, which, in turn, form plaques and narrow the lumen of the vessels. The blood becomes viscous and thick and does not circulate well. The heart and tissues stop getting enough oxygen and nutrients. This is how thrombosis and heart disease develop. In the worst case, the vessel is completely clogged, which causes heart attacks and strokes.

Norms of lipoproteins in the blood

To keep your cholesterol under control, you need to do an extended blood test regularly. It includes 4 indicators: total cholesterol, high-density compounds, low-density compounds and triglycerides.

Indicator	Norm for men (mmol/l)	Norm for women (mmol/l)
Total Cholesterol	3, 5-6	3-5, 5
LDL	2, 02-4, 79	1, 92-4, 51
HDL	0, 72-1, 63	0, 86-2, 28
Triglycerides	0, 5-2	1, 5

In the ratio of HDL and LDL, high density lipoproteins should be the undisputed leader. Even if they are elevated, nothing threatens he alth. HDL protects blood vessels from cholesterol deposits. They bind LDL and send it to the liver for processing. High levels of LDL indicate the development of atherosclerosis, therefore, in case of deviations, it is extremely important to see a doctor. If there is a slight increase in cholesterol, then it will be enough just to make lifestyle changes: give up fatty foods, go in for sports, quit bad habits. Fatty foods are the main source of cholesterol. But what are these products and is there cholesterol in vegetable oil? In fact, the list is quite impressive, so you need to know it in order to prevent dangerous diseases.

Fatty food as one of the causes of disease

The increase in "bad" cholesterol is often associated with dietary errors. What foods contain cholesterol and what should be on your "stop list"? First of all, these are by-products - brains, kidneys, liver, chicken stomachs. Fatty meats and poultry, semi-finished meats, smoked meats, sausages, pates, canned food, shrimp, caviar, various sauces, egg yolks also contain cholesterol. Unfortunately for those with a sweet tooth, confectionery, baked goods, and low-grade chocolate can also raise cholesterol. And finally, high-fat dairy products cannot be part of a he althy diet. It's aboutbutter, sour cream, cheeses, cream, cottage cheese. Of course, if you consume the listed products in moderation and cook them correctly, then there will be no harm from them. But if you regularly and in large quantities eat, say, fatty meat with a salad dressed with mayonnaise, then there is no doubt that over time the body will respond to this with an increase in LDL.

How to normalize cholesterol

In order for cholesterol levels to return to normal, it is necessary to reduce its intake from the outside. That is, you need to stop eating foods rich in fats in large quantities. Cook soups on dietary meat, exclude frying, refuse semi-finished products, pates and sausages. About fast food poison, we believe you can guess. Fatty dairy products are eaten in small quantities, and salads are not dressed with mayonnaise, but with high-quality vegetable oil. And what about butter and vegetable oil in general? Why do experts recommend minimizing the first type of oil and consuming the second regularly?

Cholesterol and vegetable oil

Many people wonder if there is cholesterol in vegetable oil. So there is no cholesterol there and never was. On the contrary, vegetable oils contain many useful components, including fats, which have a beneficial effect on the body. There is no bad animal fat in vegetable oil, it contains vegetable fat, which is much better absorbed by the body than animal fat.

Marketing Tricks

The fantasies of marketers who want to sell products by all means can be envied. When it became fashionable to advertise the beneficial properties of products, the chip "without cholesterol" was invented for vegetable oil.

In fact, there is no deception here: vegetable oil really does not contain cholesterol. But not because the manufacturer “cooked” it so well and now takes a lot of money for it. Just vegetable raw materials, by definition, cannot contain it.

Therefore, when you see the cherished inscription "vegetable oil without cholesterol" on the label, do not think that it is somehow better than other brands. However, if you take refined vegetable oil for frying and use it regularly, the risk of high cholesterol increases. Not because of the oil, of course, but because of the foods you fry in it (meat, fish, potatoes, etc.).

Cholesterol and butter

So, there is no cholesterol in vegetable oil, but what about butter? This oil contains cholesterol: 185 mg per 100 g of product. Is it possible to use butter in this case? Here the opinions of experts are divided. Some consider this product dangerous (78% -82.5% concentrated milk fat), others, on the contrary, consider butter an important element of the diet. The most common opinion is that in moderation (10-20 mg per day) oil can be added to the menu, but only to people who do not suffer from diseases that prohibit the use of such a product. In small quantitiesbutter will benefit the body. In particular, it will improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails. If you eat butter in packs, then the risk of high cholesterol increases.

Conclusion

Cholesterol is a compound whose functionality cannot be taken on by any other substances. There is a so-called good and bad cholesterol. As you might guess, the danger is an increased level of the second type. This manifests itself in the deposition of atherosclerotic plaques, which increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Often people themselves bring the body to such a state. An unhe althy diet, in which fatty foods predominate, is a prime example of this. The body certainly needs fats, but the priority should be in favor of plant origin.

So, wondering if there is cholesterol in vegetable oil, you can rest assured that it is not there, so vegetable oil is a very useful product. But this applies to unrefined varieties used to add to salads and snacks. Refined oils contain almost no useful elements, but are ideal for frying. But only frying involves the processing of foods that can just increase cholesterol. Therefore, to get involved in such food is dangerous for he alth. Keep this in mind when planning your menu and be he althy!