What kind of image do you have when you hear the word "cholesterol"?
Many people may have an image of cholesterol as "bad for you" or "not good for your health.

To begin with, cholesterol is one of the "lipids" and is a very important component. It is found in the membranes of cells throughout our bodies.

Unlike triglycerides, cholesterol is not a source of energy. So what exactly does it do?

The role of cholesterol is to maintain the stability of cell membranes, soften cell membranes, and regulate cellular functions. A deficiency of it can lead to a weakened immune system and weakened cell membranes and blood vessels. In other words, cholesterol plays a very important role in building strong cells.

Although cholesterol is not a source of energy, it is excreted when it finishes its role in the body. What is important is the balance between supply and excretion. The body maintains only the necessary amount of cholesterol based on intake and excretion.

Cholesterol is also produced in the body. It is also produced when the amount of cholesterol taken in from outside is low or when one is hungry, so basically there is no deficiency.

There are two forms of cholesterol in the blood.

One is the "bad cholesterol" (LDL cholesterol) when cholesterol produced in the liver is carried throughout the body. The other is the "good cholesterol" (HDL cholesterol) when unwanted cholesterol is carried back to the liver.

By cleaning up excess cholesterol in this way, the proper amount of cholesterol is always maintained.

At the same time, it is also very important for our human health to consume sufficient nutrients. Therefore, we recommend eggs as a particularly good source of nutrients. This is because eggs are packed with many of the ingredients necessary to build an animal's body. Eggs are a good source of nutrients, but they also contain a lot of cholesterol, so one should be careful not to overeat them. It is recommended that healthy people eat no more than one egg per day, and people with higher than average blood cholesterol should eat no more than 1/2 an egg per day.

Some people also have a tendency to absorb cholesterol easily even if they consume the same amount of cholesterol, so-called "hyperresponder" people. Such people may suffer from arteriosclerosis, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke.

To prevent such diseases, it is important to know which foods are high in cholesterol. Please check it out.

In addition, different ingredients have different effects on cholesterol levels. For example, there are several types of "fatty acids" contained in lipids, some of which "raise" bad cholesterol levels and others of which "lower" them.

For example, saturated fatty acids are found in beef and pork. Saturated fatty acids raise bad cholesterol levels, so one must be careful not to consume too much of them.

On the other hand, "unsaturated fatty acids" reduce bad cholesterol levels. There are "polyunsaturated fatty acids" contained in linoleic acid, EPA, and DHA, and "monounsaturated fatty acids" contained in oleic acid. If you are concerned about cholesterol, try to consume foods containing unsaturated fatty acids rather than saturated fatty acids.

Also, beware of "trans fats". This can lead to an increase in bad cholesterol and a decrease in good cholesterol. Trans fatty acids can be found in shortening, margarine, and processed foods made from these ingredients, such as commercial snacks, breads, and donuts. If you are concerned about the presence of trans fatty acids in the foods you eat, check the websites of the manufacturers.

Even those who are concerned about their cholesterol levels and are on a diet want to enjoy their food as much as possible. In this sense, cholesterol-free foods deliver a richer diet. If you suffer from obesity, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia, please give them a try.

Part 2: MIRA-IKURA is now available for people with hyperlipidemia and fish roe allergies.