You’ve probably been told by your doctor how important it is to keep your cholesterol levels in check by watching what you eat. But did you know only around 20 per cent of cholesterol comes from food?
Cholesterol is important to your body. It forms a building block for cell membranes. It is also an important precursor molecule for hormones your body produces, such as testosterone and oestrogen.
But if there’s too much cholesterol in your body, it can build up in arteries and increase your risk of stroke, heart attack or cardiovascular disease.
So, can watching what you eat keep your levels at a safe amount?
Well, no, not exactly. Only around 20 per cent of your body’s cholesterol comes from external sources such as food. Most is manufactured in your body via your liver and intestines.
Cutting bad cholesterol from your diet would therefore reduce your levels by just 20 per cent. If you are in danger of cholesterol-related heart problems, this is not really a big enough reduction.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) may have found a way to reduce the amount of cholesterol your body produces.
In a study, published in the Journal of Lipid Research, the UNSW team discovered that a protein found in cells, known as ERG28, influences how much cholesterol each cell produces.
By modifying cells to remove the ERG28 protein, researchers were able to reduce cholesterol production by as much as 80 per cent.
Dr Isabelle Capell-Hattam, lead author of the study, says the discovery was a surprise to her team.
“The role of this protein in cholesterol production was previously unknown,” she says.
“We now know it’s one of many auxiliary factors influencing cholesterol production in mammalian cells.
“When we got rid of the protein, we found there was around a 60 to 80 per cent reduction in how much cholesterol the cell can synthesise, so it’s a significant drop.”
Dr Capell-Hattam says the study could open up a whole new world of treatments for patients with high cholesterol, especially those who struggle to get results from dietary changes or medication.
“By studying the pathway for cholesterol production further, it’s possible we could find better cholesterol synthesis inhibitors,” she says.
Are your cholesterol levels a problem? What have you tried to get them down? Do you eat with cholesterol in mind? Let us know in the comments section below.
Read also: Sugary diet linked to fatty liver disease in non-drinkers
