Fish & Cholesterol

White fish and shellfish are low in total fat and contain very low amounts of saturated fat, the type one should avoid because it has been shown to raise blood cholesterol if too much is eaten. Oily fish contain long chain polyunsaturated fats which have been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels. Although some shellfish do contain cholesterol, it is not the level of cholesterol in a food that drives up blood cholesterol levels, but the level of saturated fat and trans-fats. All shellfish is low in saturated fat and trans fats. Studies have shown that people who consume large quantities of shellfish do not have raised blood cholesterol levels. In fact, all fish provides a healthy source of protein which should be encouraged as part of a heart healthy diet, be it the low fat white fish or shellfish, or the heart-healthy oily fish.