PROPOSED NEW U.S. DIETARY GUIDELINES DO NOT LIMIT CHOLESTEROL

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee plans to drop limits on dietary cholesterol intake when it issues its 2015 update of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).  A draft report of the guidelines reportedly no longer regards dietary cholesterol as a “nutrient of concern”.  This is a marked change from the 2010 DGA which advised Americans limiting daily dietary cholesterol to less than 300 mg a day.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the body which uses it to create hormones, produce bile acids for digestion, make vitamin D and maintain healthy cell walls.  Advice to limit dietary cholesterol dates back 50 years.   However newer research indicates that healthy human bodies control the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream, and can detect and adjust its natural cholesterol production if dietary cholesterol increases or decreases.  It also appears that the body can excrete unneeded dietary cholesterol, especially if individuals consume adequate dietary fiber.  Experts still caution diabetics and others at high risk for heart disease to be mindful of cholesterol intake because dietary cholesterol likely still has a modest effect on blood cholesterol.

Recommendations to limit saturated (the fats found in meat, chicken skin, and dairy) and completely avoid trans fats (artificial fats used to manufacture baked goods, frosting, and spreads) are still in place.  During digestion, these are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the liver, where they are converted into "bad" LDL cholesterol and ample evidence links higher “bad” cholesterol to formation of arterial plaques that can impede the flow of blood and contribute to heart attacks or strokes.  Most foods that are high in cholesterol are also high in saturated fats.  However, some foods that are high in cholesterol are not high in saturated fats.  These include egg yokes, shellfish, and liver.

What to do:  The official recommendations have not been finalized but it appears dietary cholesterol is not a major driver of blood cholesterol among most people.  So, even though cholesterol is still in bold on the nutrition facts labels, focus your gaze more on the amount of saturated and trans fat listed right above cholesterol.  To control your blood cholesterol eat a healthy diet rich in plant-derived fats (i.e. olive oil, nuts, avocado), fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.    Emphasize foods high in soluble fiber such as beans, oats, barley, and gummier fruits and vegetables including avocado, okra, plums, apples, oranges, green beans, and carrots.  Control your weight, exercise regularly, and take cholesterol lowering medicine as prescribed by your provider.

Adapted from articles available at:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_150917.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/10/new-dietary-cholesterol-advice/23174871/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_150870.html

http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015.asp#meetings

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/02/10/feds-poised-to-withdraw-longstanding-warnings-about-dietary-cholesterol/

Source:

http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015-BINDER/meeting7/docs/DGAC-Meeting-7-SC-1.pdf