Cholesterol is a fatty substance your body needs to make hormones and vitamin D, plus it is the source for bile acids that help you digest foods. Meat, seafood, poultry, eggs and dietary products contain cholesterol but your liver makes enough so you don't need extra cholesterol from your diet.
High Blood Cholesterol
People with elevated cholesterol levels have a greater risk of heart attacks. According to 2008 information from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, cholesterol can build up in your arteries causing plaques that can restrict blood flow. A heart attack happens when blood flow through the coronary arteries decreases, or when a plaque ruptures and causes a blood clot to form. Lowering your blood cholesterol will reduce your risk of a heart attack.
Reducing Cholesterol
Lower your cholesterol by reducing the types of fats in your diet that cause your cholesterol levels to go up, according to 2010 information from the Mayo Clinic. Saturated fats are found in red meat and dairy products, except for non-fat milk. Trans fats are found in commercial baked goods and processed foods. MayoClinic.com also recommends you consume no more than 300 mg cholesterol each day.
Lobster Nutrition
Lobster is low in saturated fat and contains no trans fat, but does contain a significant amount of cholesterol. According to 2010 information from the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, 6 oz. of lobster has 0.5 g saturated fat and 147 mg cholesterol. It also has 233 calories, 43 g protein, 103 mg calcium, 2.3 mg iron, 11.9 mg zinc, 97 mcg selenium and 8 mg niacin.
Shrimp Nutrition
Shrimp is low in saturated fat and contains no trans fat, but it is high in cholesterol. According to 2010 information from the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, 6 oz. of shrimp has 0.33 gram saturated fat and 359 mg cholesterol. It also has 101 calories, 39 g protein, 155 mg calcium, 1610 mg sodium, 4.6 mg niacin and 41 mcg folate.
