Any Vegetarians/Vegans here?

[KichigaiNeko]

You know, I got failed on a biochemistry exam for that very same opinion.

You do realise that olive oil, coconut oil, canola oil, sesame oil and any other vegetable oils contain cholesterol.....?

You are also aware then I take it that cholesterol is a precursor to many hormones and a solvent for many vitamins....?

To say that cholesterol is "not required for health" is very stupid and only proves you were asleep in biology and biochemistry class.

If you said cholesterol is not required for health you would be wrong, it is not only essential for the production of hormones it is essential for the function of all plasma membranes! It is so essential that practically all cells can make cholesterol from other fats, and the liver also produces a whole load and excretes it into the blood stream.

No, what I said is that DIETARY cholesterol is not required for health. The ability of the body to produce cholesterol is well known since Konrad Bloch and Feodor Lynen won the nobel prize in 1964 for the discovery the biosynthesis of cholesterol.

Now some evidence, can the body synthesise cholesterol?

Yep
Definately
Even with diabetes? Yep still making it
Oh, and how do statins work? You know, one of the most successful drugs ever marketed? By inhibiting cholesterol synthesis by the body! That's right, the body can produce so much cholesterol, e.g. because of high saturated fat consumption, that it can produce too much!

The fact is the body produces loads of cholesterol, and while plants do contain some cholesterol it is measured in mg/kg rather than the g/kg of some animal products such as eggs. Here is a nice overview of dietary cholesterol

Anyway, as bennyboy said, please try to stick to the topic.

Well we are talking about diet are we not? And you did bring cholesterol into the discussion. Those links only proved that in a healthy person cholesterol synthesis was not affected or to only a modest rise in cholesterol levels.

As for the diabetic group more study was needed as the results were inconclusive. As for statins.... They are prescribed like lollies and may or may not be of benefit as other medical conditions of the patient have to be considered. Which is really problematical.