What Is the Effect of Fats & Cholesterol?
Fats and cholesterol affect the body in many ways. The negative effects lead to risks of heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure. However, the beneficial effects keep the body functioning.
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Function
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Essential fats keep the body running properly--particularly the brain and nervous system. Stored fats are converted into energy or fuel if you don't eat enough calories to sustain your body's functions and activity level. Cholesterol helps transport fats through the body and helps to produce hormones, bile acid and vitamin D, according to the New York Times Health Guide.
Warning
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Eating trans fats and saturated fats can raise your levels of LDL, or "bad cholesterol," which can stick to the walls of arteries causing hardening and blockages This often leads to high blood pressure and eventually heart disease.
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Misconception
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According to the research report "Types of Dietary Fat and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Critical Review," published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in 2001, the types of fats you consume may be more important than the total amount of fats you consume in determining your risk of heart disease.For example, it states that omega-3 fatty acids and fats from plants, such as olive oil and avocados, can reduce heart disease risks.
Consideration
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Omega-3 fatty acids can lower overall cholesterol levels and lower the risks of cardiovascular diseases posed by LDL cholesterol.
Expert Insight
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you maintain a total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL with LDL levels lower than 100 mg/dL.
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