As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I am kept on my toes constantly trying to decipher all the nutrition information – good and bad – for my patients, friends, and family. Nutrition research is constantly evolving, and I really enjoy reporting on good nutrition advice or upcoming changes in recommendations.
Recently, the Dietary Advisory Committee released a draft of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. As a result, there have been multiple articles published recently about the Guidelines’ recommendation to remove the limitations on dietary cholesterol intake. Wondering what specifically the draft of the Guidelines said about cholesterol? The single statement about cholesterol states: “Cholesterol is not considered a nutrient of concern for overconsumption.”
After hearing this you may think, “Let the “food” flood gates open! I don’t have to worry about cholesterol again!” Unfortunately, that is not the case. Cholesterol is a fat like substance that builds up over time on the walls of your arteries and can decrease or block blood flow to your heart or brain resulting in a heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the number one cause of death for women and men. For this reason, cholesterol is still something to be aware of.
The previous recommendation for cholesterol intake was less than 300mg/day. Though this recommendation may be lifted, it is important to remember that dietary intake is only one piece of the heart disease puzzle. Obesity, inactivity, and family history can also affect your cholesterol levels.
If we have learned anything from our past, it’s that we should not focus on just one single nutrient. The American Heart Association has not changed recommendations for saturated fat, which increases your LDL “bad” cholesterol and can lead to heart disease. Many foods that are high in cholesterol also contain saturated fat so it is important to choose wisely. In addition, overall calorie intake is important to keep in mind in an effort to prevent or treat obesity, which can also increase the risk of heart disease.
For me, this new cholesterol recommendation is not going to change a lot of what my diet already looks like. I think as a Dietitian, the old but very true statement, “Everything in moderation,” still holds true.
The American Heart Association website has a great question and answer section where you can read more about the draft of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and cholesterol recommendations. The finalized version of the guidelines will not come out until later this year so stay tuned.
Sources:
Food and Nutrient Intakes, and Health, Current status and Trends, 2015 DGAC meeting 12/7/2014