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Nutrition & Dietetics vocabulary · Macronutrients and Water

Cholesterol

Meaning in nutrition & dietetics, with examples

/kəˈlestərɔːl/nounCommon term

In nutrition & dietetics, cholesterol means: A waxy, fat-like substance that the body uses to build cell membranes and make hormones and vitamin D. The liver makes most of it, and it is also found in animal foods.

In Turkish: kolesterol

How it is used

Used in heart health and lab results. People talk about high cholesterol, cholesterol levels, LDL (often called 'bad' cholesterol) and HDL ('good' cholesterol). Doctors speak of a 'lipid profile'. 'Dietary cholesterol' means the cholesterol in food, which is not the same as blood cholesterol.

Example sentences

  1. His cholesterol was high at his last check-up, so his doctor referred him to a dietitian.

  2. Egg yolks contain cholesterol, but for most people saturated fat has a bigger effect on blood levels.

Common collocations

  • high cholesterol
  • cholesterol levels
  • LDL cholesterol
  • HDL cholesterol
  • lower cholesterol
  • saturated fatA type of fat whose fatty acids have no double bonds. It is found mainly in butter, fatty meat, cheese, coconut oil and palm oil, and is usually solid at room temperature.
  • trans fatA type of unsaturated fat whose structure makes it behave like saturated fat in the body. Most of it came from partially hydrogenated oils, and it raises LDL and lowers HDL cholesterol.
  • dietary fiberThe parts of plant foods that the human small intestine cannot digest, found in whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. It supports bowel function and can help control blood sugar and cholesterol.
  • fatA macronutrient that gives the body concentrated energy, about 9 kcal per gram, and helps it absorb vitamins A, D, E and K. The word also means the fat tissue stored in the body.

More terms: Macronutrients and Water

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.