Alfonso Valenzuela, a PhD in Science and an INTA academic.

"That is why we must encourage a healthy diet and exercise that discourage LDL and activate HDL, or "good cholesterol", which is the one that removes the excess cholesterol from the body", he points out, and goes on to say: "Now, if we analyze the underlying problem, we note that, as the human being has gone evolving, he has made a significant change in his eating habits. We scientists always say that we possess paleolithic genetics with XXI century eating habits, which is quite different to the vegetarian diet which our genes program for us. And it is the adaptation to that food that we are paying dearly for now, as the human organism has not yet learned to manage the cholesterol consumed in quantities far greater than really needed", he affirms.

- Basically, what is cholesterol and what use does it have?

This is a molecule that is absolutely indispensable for our biological and physiological functions. Amongst other things, it is the structural part of many hormones such as the sexual ones, it permits the formation of Vitamin D which is a very important vitamin in the metabolic function, and forms part of the structure of the cell membranes. In other words, we cannot live without cholesterol.

This lipid or esterol has two origins. The most important is the one our own organism produces that is used in numerous functions and which is eliminated through the bile, and the second is that which is consumed in food of animal origin such as egg yoke, liver, butter or red meats.

- Is it a fact that some foods reduce cholesterol?

Yes, indeed. There are food components that really have the effect of reducing cholesterol such as fibre, though its action is slight but helps. Now, those that really have a very significant effect are the phytosterols which are the vegetable cholesterols that impede the cholesterol from being absorbed in the digestive tube or intestine.

The consumption of phytosterols in relatively important quantities, over three grams a day, produces these sought-after effects of a reduction in cholesterol.

- What foods contain phytosterols? The natural foods that most contain are pulse or legumes, particularly soya, seeds, cereals and dried fruits. Furthermore, phytosterols are also added to some functional foods such as oils, margarines, milks and yoghurts, for example.

Products containing Phytosterols:
Belmont Phymega Oil