"What is cholesterol?" This was one of the questions that Lynne Lee and I asked the audience at a talk at the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children. Lisa Chung, director for volunteer services and special events, had invited us to teach the volunteers how to "Beat Cholesterol Naturally." We both did a short presentation on cholesterol and fats, particularly focusing on the low-density lipoproteins ("bad cholesterol") versus the high-density lipoproteins ("good cholesterol").

All animal life contains cholesterol, which is important to the function of the cells. Our livers produce all the cholesterol our bodies need, so we should avoid consuming additional cholesterol. Fats and cholesterol move throughout the body in bundles called lipoproteins. The LDLs (I remember them as "lousy dense lipoproteins") carry the cholesterol to the organs by way of the arteries. If there are large amounts of LDL in the arteries, it can increase the growth of deposits (plaque) on walls of the arteries. This can cause atherosclerosis and other heart problems. The HDLs (I refer to them as "healthy density lipoproteins"), move cholesterol back to the liver for excretion through the bile. In general people, who exercise, don't smoke and watch what they eat have higher HDLs. People who keep their cholesterol level at 150 or lower are less likely to have atherosclerosis.

Since cholesterol is found only in animal products, we demonstrated two recipes using meat alternatives from my cookbook, "Island Light Cuisine." I demonstrated Ono Kea Hawaiian Stew using seitan (wheat gluten) instead of meat. Lynne demonstrated tofu poke. Besides decreasing your cholesterol intake, eat more fruits and vegetables and add more fiber, such as that found in whole grains, to your diet.

Here's Lynne's tofu poke.

TOFU POKE