Shrimp and cholesterol can exist together to create a nutritious meal.

Benefits Outweigh The Risks.

Don't worry about eating shrimp and cholesterol found in its fat content. We will discuss this concern using the following outline.

1. What is cholesterol?
2. Why is there a cholesterol controversy?
3. What is the amount of measured cholesterol in shrimp?

Eating shrimp and cholesterol defined.
Cholesterol is a solid, waxy substance produced normally by all animals. Cholesterol is not a fat itself, but it is always found with fats in animal derived foods. Cholesterol is part of a group of fat-like substances called lipids which include fats, fatty acids, oils, and waxes. Our livers manufacture on average 1,200 mg per day of cholesterol when we eat saturated fats and sugar. Additionally we absorb daily about 400 mg of cholesterol from ingested foods such as eggs, animal flesh, shellfish and cheese.

The body uses cholesterol to:

1. Construct cell membranes
2. Produce hormones such as testosterone and estrogen
3. Make Vitamin D when sunlight hits our skin
4. Create bile salts which are needed to dissolve digested fats from which our bodies absorb vitamins such as A, D and E

Why is there a cholesterol controversy?
The medical community is divided in the belief that consuming foods high in cholesterol leads to high blood levels of cholesterol resulting in cardio vascular related diseases.

Tied to this controversy are the two cholesterol carrier molecules, liver produced, called Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). LDL carries cholesterol from the liver throughout the body as needed. HDL returns cholesterol from the body back to the liver. LDL has a tendency to stick to the walls of damaged arteries clogging the flow of blood, hence the term "bad cholesterol". HDL carries excess cholesterol and fat soluble toxins out of the body, hence the term "good cholesterol".

Consensus is changing to the belief that the ratio of total blood cholesterol to HDL is a more reliable predictor of cardiovascular health. A ratio of total blood cholesterol to HDL of 5 to 1 is seen as normal. A higher ratio is cause for concern while a lower ratio is seen as good health.

Recent studies suggest that a high cholesterol ratio is one of perhaps dozens of heart risk factors including: high consumption of refined sugars and grains, lack of exercise, smoking, diabetes, history of severe infections and exposure to environmental toxins.

Ways to reduce heart risks

1. Exercise regularly with routines like walking
2. Reduce stress through meditation, prayer and simple laughter
3. Reduce or eliminate from your diet refined sugars and grains
4. Do not smoke and be reasonable with alcohol intake
5. Eat a balanced diet of whole grains, meats, fish, dairy and vegetables
6. Reduce your intake of hydrogenated vegetable oils
7. Maintain proper weight

Back to the original question: Is shrimp high in cholesterol?

Relatively, as compared to other food items, the answer is no as it contains about 185mg of cholesterol per serving. Also, inherent nutritional benefits make shrimp and cholesterol a great addition to a well balanced diet.

This food has no SHRIMPY nutritional value. Shrimp is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, tryptophan, vitamin D and vitamin B12. Taken together these nutrients are protection against cancer, cardio vascular disease, Alzheimers and age related cognitive degeneration.

IS SHRIMP HIGH IN CHOLESTEROL? We don't think so, but more importantly it's your final decision.

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