Having high cholesterol levels leads to a buildup of plaque in your arteries which is called atherosclerosis. According to MayoClinic.com, this can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Full fat varieties of cheese contain high amounts of cholesterol which can increase your blood cholesterol. Select low-fat versions of your favorite cheese and use them sparingly to reduce your risk of high cholesterol.
Saturated Fat and Heart Disease
Cheese comes from an animal source which means it will naturally contain saturated fat. According to the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, foods high in saturated fat are usually high in cholesterol as well. A diet high in saturated fat can increase your cholesterol and your risk for heart disease. A 1-oz. serving of whole milk mozzarella cheese has nearly 4 g of saturated fat and 22 mg of cholesterol while 1 oz. of cheddar cheese has as much as 6 g of saturated fat and 30 mg of cholesterol. Saturated fat should be no more than 7 percent of your total caloric intake for the day. Purchase low fat options of your favorite cheese to minimize your saturated fat and cholesterol consumption.
Increased LDL Cholesterol
Blood cholesterol levels can be broken down into high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, and low-density lipoproteins, or LDL. HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol that travels around your body and picks up the "bad" LDL cholesterol, as reported by MayoClinic.com. You can consume up to 300 mg of cholesterol daily. If you have or are at risk for high cholesterol, you should not consume more than 200 mg. One ounce of Parmesan cheese has 19 mg of cholesterol, Swiss contains 26 mg, cream cheese provides 26 mg and provolone has 20 mg of cholesterol in a 1 oz serving. These full-fat cheeses may increase your LDL cholesterol which puts you at risk for atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Healthy and Low-Fat Alternatives
MayoClinic.com reports that choosing healthy fats can help you raise your "good" HDL cholesterol. Eat cheese with heart-healthy mono or polyunsaturated fats. Cheeses do not contain many good fats, but consuming small amounts is beneficial. A 1 oz. serving of low-fat cheddar cheese has 5.8 g of saturated fat and 2.6 g of monounsaturated fat. Half a cup of low-fat cottage cheese has less than a gram of saturated fat and .5 g of monounsaturated fat. Low-fat cheddar cheese offers 1.2 g of saturated fat and .6 g of monounsaturated fat per 1 oz. serving. Selecting reduced-fat varieties whenever possible will put you on a path to low cholesterol.
