"My first question to you would be, what was your cholesterol before? Is your current cholesterol a drastic improvement over what it was before you went vegan? If so, then keep doing what you're doing; chances are, it will reduce even further. Also, were you fasting when you got your test done? Sometimes eating too soon before a test will affect results. Always get a fasting test, and get it done repeatedly to be sure that you have accurate measures (errors do happen on occasion).
Did you get a whole cardiovascular risk workup? Total cholesterol tells only part of the story. Triglycerides, cholesterol fractions, homocysteine, and even iron levels all affect heart disease risk.
The cholesterol found in our blood is predominantly (or, exclusively, if you're vegan) produced by the liver. This is not a bad thing; we need cholesterol to build and repair cell membranes, and to synthesize steroid hormones. Problems surface only when cholesterol levels start to creep up above 150 mg/dL or so; at this point, heart attack risk starts to increase. Some people mistakenly believe that we need to consume cholesterol; this is not true because healthy livers make all we need. Another pseudo-myth: plants contain cholesterol, but only the teensiest fraction of a percent of what animal products contain. Because the amounts are so miniscule, it's reasonable to state that plant products are cholesterol-free.
The scientific literature confirms that vegans have, on average, the lowest cholesterol levels, compared with lacto-ovo vegetarians, fish-eaters, and omnivores. Unfortunately, though, your lifestyle is not the only factor that determines cholesterol level; genetics play a relatively strong role. If your parents' or grandparents' livers tended to make lots of cholesterol, then good chance you're a victim of your over-producing liver as well. Sometimes, even the most perfect diets belong to folks with cholesterols that won't budge.
Variations within a vegan diet can certainly influence cholesterol levels in the blood. A whole-foods vegan diet will fare better than one with processed fats and refined grains and sugars.
The most significant factors affecting cholesterol levels include essential fats (low saturated/trans fats, with moderate unsaturated fats is the most protective); protein (too much protein, particularly animal-derived, tends to increase cholesterol); fiber (soluble fiber in particular lowers blood cholesterol); phytosterols (a type of phytochemical found in some types of nuts and polyunsaturated oils); and antioxidant intake (higher in vegans due to high consumption of fruits and veggies). Nuts and soy foods have been touted for their cholesterol-lowering effects; vegans should aim for about 2 servings of each per day (in their least processed forms).
Some research indicates that low vitamin B12 and/or folate status can lead to high homocysteine levels in the blood, increasing risk of cardiovascular disease. So keep munching those fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes (all great sources of folate) and take a B12 supplement.
Do you exercise regularly? Exercise helps reduce heart attack risk by both reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol, so make exercise a daily part of your healthy vegan lifestyle. Finally, if you smoke, quit, because smoking increases risk of heart disease. "
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