cholesterol found in squid, octopus, shrimp, and other seafood

Is cholesterol found in squid, octopus, shrimp, and other seafood?

Yiannoulis Nicosia, Cyprus

Dear Yiannoulis:

Figuring that your question would give us a chance to dream about our favorite cuisine (sushi!), we were only too happy to find your answer. We started with something obvious, a search on the phrase "cholesterol seafood."Among the results was a link to Seafood Nutritional Information, a factsheet provided by the Sea Grant program at the University of Delaware. The page informed us, "Cholesterol levels are not significant in most seafood products." You asked specifically about shrimp, octopus and squid. The report says this: While the cholesterol in shrimp varies considerably by specie, it generally is 1-1/2 to 2 times higher than in the dark meat of chicken, but far less than in eggs ... Squid and octopus may contain relatively high levels, 250 and 122 mg [per] 3-1/2 ounces, respectively. Other links within the search results all seemed to support the fact that, yes, seafood generally contains cholesterol, but for the most part, it is not something to worry about too much. [Note: Please don't consider this medical advice -- it is not. If you have real dietary concerns, speak to your doctor directly.]One article we found titled "Dietary Cholesterol" offers this observation, "For people with higher cholesterol levels, seafood ... can be consumed a few times per week if saturated fat intakes are low." The point is echoed elsewhere among the search results. In fact, a page from the California Seafood Council states that most cholesterol within our bodies is created by the saturated fat that we eat, and generally most seafood is "excruciatingly low in saturated fat."So eat wisely, enjoy the seafood, and please pass the wasabi.