LSRO Examines Countries Cholesterol Guidelines

BETHESDA, Md.— Life Sciences Research Office (www.lsro.org) studied the reasons for variation in countries’ dietary guidelines concerning cholesterol, when all have the common goal of reducing heart disease in their respective populations. For example, the U.S. recommendation, which has not changed since 1968, is a maximum daily cholesterol intake of 300 mg. Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom do not make specific cholesterol recommendations, but do make total and saturated fat recommendations to directly affect blood cholesterol levels. LSRO concluded the common factor among these countries has been to recommend a significant reduction in saturated fats and a moderate reduction in total fat intake. The United States was the only country concentrating on reducing blood cholesterol with a specified daily intake of cholesterol.