Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Beverley on 20/11/2011 16:01:02

Title: Does milk contribute to dietary cholesterol?
Post by: Beverley on 20/11/2011 16:01:02

Beverley  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris.

In July I gave up milk and did nothing much else to my diet ( I am overweight). Before that my overall cholesterol was 6.4, but with a good amount of "good" cholesterol.

I had it checked by laboratory a week ago, and suddenly the overall number is 4.8. Could ditching milk, cheese and anything containing them have cause this drop?

I do eat nuts (probably too many) but have always.
 
Beverley (Centurion, South Africa)

What do you think?

Title: Does milk contribute to dietary cholesterol?
Post by: jacksonema on 01/12/2011 06:39:45

No not at all.
Milk is very good for health.
It is the good source of proteins.
It is essential for the body growth.

Title: Does milk contribute to dietary cholesterol?
Post by: CliffordK on 02/12/2011 05:29:10

The general rule is that anything that moves contains cholesterol.
Anything that doesn't move, doesn't contain cholesterol.

Milk contains some cholesterol, I believe primarily in the milk fat.  The amount would be minimal in skim milk, and greatest in whole milk, cream, and butter, as well as cheese.

Nuts would contain fat & proteins, but no cholesterol.

Your body is capable of obtaining cholesterol from dietary sources, as well as making cholesterol.  However, lowering cholesterol intake will often lower your cholesterol numbers.

Exercise will also reduce your cholesterol, as well as improving your HDL (good cholesterol).

Title: Re: Does milk contribute to dietary cholesterol?
Post by: martinau on 11/06/2013 21:10:47

Dietary cholesterol is different than blood cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol is the cholesterol obtained from food. Only food from animal sources contains dietary cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol only has a slight effect on your total blood cholesterol level. A person's total fat intake, especially saturated fat, has a more significant effect on blood cholesterol levels than dietary cholesterol alone does. However, a person should still have a low-to-moderate intake of dietary cholesterol, which would be less than 300 mg for those without high blood cholesterol and 200 mg for those with high blood cholesterol.
Limit intake of egg yolks, liver and other organ meats, meat, and whole milk dairy products and generally avoid using high cholesterol foods (http://loweringcholesterolguide.com/category/diet-meal-plans/).