Without question, there is more known now in terms of what the American public is aware of with respect to diet and health. But, what is known by the average American (or other industrialized countrymen), at least compared to what should be known, is merely the basics. And with the basics is only a small percentage of what is needed in order to claim a healthier lifestyle, which, in the end, will promote health in body, spirit and mind. We all know that too much fat, which usually equates to too much weight and too much cholesterol, is not good. But what can be said about the different ways in which one can effectively control his or her own diet and help reduce heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke, among other situations that tend to rob us of a quality life?
One of the major concerns of the American Heart Association is the degree of fat in the American diet and the amount of cholesterol that is consumed each day. This not only applies to Americans, but the entire world; however, it is well know that the American diet is perhaps on one of the most unhealthy although there all others. So, let's first take a look at cholesterol, define what it is, and how it can affect health.
Cholesterol, by definition, is a steroid or a protein that is found in virtually all organisms and it is the starting material for the formation of the many steroid-based molecules, such as Vitamin D. Cholesterol, although too much is not good, is essential for life. Most people, however, are more educated or exposed to information about fats, because that's what the public is being taught through many of the media. Fats are esters, composed of trihydroxy alcohol known commonly as glycerol and long-chain carboxylic acids called fatty acids. The most common animal fat is called Tristearin. And basically, animal fat is a glycerol molecule, three stearic acid molecules, and one tristearin (or fat) molecule. We can refer to these fats (esters of glycerol) as triglycerides.
Recall when you were last shopping for cake mixes or flour. Most likely, you passed by or even picked up some of the cooking oil. Well, the liquid form of the cooking oil is the vegetable oil, which is also referred to as unsaturated fats; whereas the solid oils are the animal fats, which are also the saturated. And which of these would you want to avoid? Well, of course, it's the animal fat, or the saturated ones - the unsaturated fats are better for you.
