Low Cholesterol Diet - Useful Diet to Lower Cholesterol

07 Jan

Posted by Dr John Anne as Yeast Infection

Cholesterol is a type of fat needed in the body to build cell walls, create certain hormones and to protect nerves. In fact, it’s so in demand that your body makes the stuff itself! 80% of the cholesterol in your body is made in the liver and the remaining 20% comes from your diet. The right kind is essential for good health and is found in every cell in your body. Without cholesterol your body wouldn’t work.

Cholesterol begins to get a bad name when you start to eat foods high in bad cholesterol, otherwise known as LDL’s (Low Density Lipoproteins). These can only come from your diet.

If your bad cholesterol levels start to rise out of control, as your diet takes a turn for the worse, then your good cholesterol will have a hard time trying to sweep this stuff out of your bloodstream, and plaque (fatty deposits) will start to collect on your artery walls.

Over time, plaque on your artery walls will continue to build up, causing constrictions that reduce blood flow to your heart. Over time, your heart will have to work harder, as it tries to pump blood through these bloodstream ‘roadblocks’. This can result in angina (chest pain) or, if the vessel is blocked completely, a heart attack. If blood flow to the brain is restricted then a stroke can ensue.

Too much bad cholesterol in your body spells bad news for your health. Tidying up your daily diet, you can effectively reduce your cholesterol levels by 5-10%!

Diet for Low cholesterol

Reduce your intake of trans fats and keep a check on saturated fats in your diet. Gain dietary fat from quality oils, dressings, nuts and seeds. Cut down on fatty or fried foods, crisps, pastries and biscuits.

Enjoy low-saturated fat and low-cholesterol foods: fruit, vegetables, organic whole grains, lean red meats / poultry, fish, nuts, seeds and low-fat dairy.

Know how to reduce your fats: Use a griddle pan to cook meat / fish, so excess saturated fat is drained off during cooking. Remove skin and excess fat from meat cuts before serving.

Pat down fried or oven cooked meats with kitchen roll, to reduce excess fat on the surface.

Get your cholesterol levels checked. Get tested by your doctor or through BUPA or a similar organisation. Home tests are available though these are not particularly accurate. Your results will be measured in mmol/L (Millimoles per litre).

Other helpful information on web:

1. Cholesterol Lowering Diet
2. Cholesterol Treatment

Please share your comments below -