Expert: Todd Bublitz, RCEP - 3/4/2006

Question
If I recall correctly, there are fishes that have a tendency to increase your cholesterol level.

Can you recall that information for me.

Thanks in advance.  

Answer
Sallie,

All seafood is low in saturated fat, which is the “bad fat” that increases our cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.  Saturated fat raises our cholesterol levels more than dietary cholesterol (the cholesterol we eat).  While we still advise people to watch their intake of dietary cholesterol, limiting saturated fat is more important.

Let me make a distinction in seafood between “fish” and “shell fish” (crustaceans – crab, lobster, shrimp, etc.).  There is no fish that increases cholesterol levels.  Of the shell fish, shrimp are higher in dietary cholesterol than other shell fish or fish.  However, the higher levels of cholesterol are not enough to put shrimp on the “do not eat” list due to the low saturated fat levels in shrimp.  

I hope this answers your question.

Todd