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.