The United States estimates that more than 5% of the adult population has cholesterol levels (TC) above 275 mg / dL, and approximately 25% of the population had values above 240 mg / dL (6, 2 mmol / L). This 25% includes the population most at risk of heart disease (CHD), but, despite the lower relative risk of 75% of the remaining population in the latter group experienced approximately 60% of all CHD deaths.
This reflects both the large number of individuals at risk as adverse effects have only modest elevations in plasma TC, especially if they are associated with other risk factors. In the same country it is estimated that up to 16% of the population has mild elevation of CT (200-240 mg / dL) and two or more risk factors, and that 10% of the population has HDL <35 mg / dL and 5% <30 mg / dL.
In this case, with CHD mortality rates similar to those of other Mediterranean countries and lower than those of northern and central Europe and the United States, the prevalence of HC in the adult population, taking values of CT > 250 mg / dL, according to various studies lies above 20%. According to the study by the Ministry of Health (1994), the average CT men 35 to 44 years is 208 mg / dL, which places Spain, compared with other European countries and the United States in an intermediate position regarding the concentration of CT.
A healthy diet is not only critical to proper diabetes management, but also helps maintain desirable weight, controlling normal levels of blood sugar and 