That's a mouthful. But without cholesterol body cannot make sex hormones, adrenal hormones, and vitamin D. Excess cholesterol is converted in the liver to bile acids, which are normally eliminated in feces.

Some experts feel high levels of cholesterol have very little to do with dietary intake of it. There is a correlation between blood cholesterol levels and incidence of coronary artery disease. One must, however, distinguish between total blood cholesterol level and cholesterol portion in the blood carried by HDL (high-density lipoprotein).   Before you begin a strict program to reduce cholesterol blood levels, check total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio first. This risk ratio can be determined by a simple blood test by any medical doctor.

There does exist hope, however, when one has reason for concern over their blood work. But remember--the body is a fantastic mechanism and always moves itself toward health. To help it along, it needs proper information.

This "information" that I speak of has to do with more than adequate nutrition. In addition to eating more raw fruits and vegetables, and drinking pure water, try to locate a sound nutritional supplier. Years ago, Dr. Linus Pauling's work demonstrated value of vitamin C in helping body dislodge and eliminate harmful arterial plaque. If you were to go to your favorite health store or drug store for vitamin C, you probably would not receive same benefits as Dr. Pauling did. Why is that? (Pauling, Linus & Cameron, Ewan. "Cancer and Vitamin C." Camino Books. Philadelphia, PA, 1993.)

Written by Tony DiMarco Screen Writer, Publicist, Journalist

Chef Don's salt free, low sodium culinary talents have taken him into galleys and kitchens around world. He has cooked for governors, senators, congress members, state houses and one president although he has dined with a total of three different presidents and a few candidates for office. He has roasted wild boar in a ground pit in Tahiti, cooked fresh King Crab in an open pot along shores of Taku Harbor, Alaska, learned his risotto oso bucco in Italy and baguettes in Paris. He became well known in some areas of U.S. for his "Oysters Gazzaniga."

Don also found himself preparing meals for film crews, actors and even learned art of "deli-sandwiches" from famous Hollywood locations where "stars" hung out. Many film crews wanted to work for him when he was producing or directing simply because he'd either take them to right eateries or prepare it for them himself.

Always without salt.

I met Don in seventies when I was a writer for TV show "Happy Days," where I served as executive story editor. He was a writer and producer/director and owned a large production services company, one that provided film crews for many sitcoms at time. I came from a family where cooking was probably most important part of our lives. My own mother was an excellent cook and Don even has one or two of her adapted recipes in The No Salt, Lowest Sodium Cookbook.

You'd think two film writers would talk scripts. But no, Don talked about preparing meals. He would fly off and film in a foreign country or another state and come back with some top-notch recipes. He'd prepare them for us and wow, they were always great (although to tell truth, I added a bit of salt back then just out of habit).