Cholesterol: Factors Determining Blood Levels

High blood cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors for atherosclerosis. Blood cholesterol level is affected by a number of factors, including genetics, diet, tobacco use, level of physical activity, age, and menopause. Cholesterol is carried in the blood by macromolecular complexes called lipoproteins, which consist of a protein moiety (apolipoprotein) and also include, besides cholesterol, phospholipids, and triacylglycerol. A key determinant of cardiovascular risk is low-density lipoprotein (LDL) blood concentration. In turn, dietary fat quality and quantity is a major factor affecting LDL levels. Recent studies have shown that polyunsaturated fatty acids tend to reduce LDL cholesterol when replacing saturated fat in the diet.