Understanding the Role of Dietary Cholesterol on Atherosclerosis
Abstract
Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the
United States for several years and the end doesn’t appear in
sight. While there are many causal factors for atherosclerosis,
the one that is necessary for progression is
hypercholesteremia. Studies have shown that there is a direct
correlation between dietary cholesterol and serum
cholesterol. Finally, restructuring of diet to reduce and
remove these foods has been shown to reduce serum
cholesterol levels. When serum cholesterol levels have been
reduced to 75 mg/dl, atherosclerosis halts and has been found
to be reversible in some clinical studies. While statins and
procedures such as gastric bypass surgery have found some
success, they are suboptimal when compared to the results of
diet and lifestyle changes.