Is Dietary Cholesterol Harmful
Research has shown that dietary cholesterol does not significantly impact cholesterol levels in your body, and data from population studies does not support an association between dietary cholesterol and heart disease in the general population .
Though dietary cholesterol can slightly impact cholesterol levels, this isnt an issue for most people.
In fact, two-thirds of the worlds population experience little or no increase in cholesterol levels after eating cholesterol-rich foods even in large amounts .
A small number of people are considered cholesterol non-compensators or hyper-responders and appear to be more vulnerable to high-cholesterol foods.
However, hyper-responders are thought to recycle extra cholesterol back to the liver for excretion .
Dietary cholesterol has also been shown to beneficially affect the LDL-to-HDL ratio, which is considered the best indicator of heart disease risk .
While research shows that its unnecessary for most people to avoid dietary cholesterol, keep in mind that not all cholesterol-containing foods are healthy.
Here are 7 healthy high-cholesterol foods and 4 to avoid.
Here are 7 high-cholesterol foods that are incredibly nutritious.
Cholesterol Content In Meat: Beef Chicken Pork Lamb Comparison
An American consumes 100 – 150 grams of meat per day, on average. And in almost all cultures, as income increases people celebrate life with more meat in their diet.
Meat is an important source of protein, vitamins B and D, minerals and fat. However, there is concern about the increasing meat consumption being a source of cardiovascular disease risk factors and other health problems. The link between meat and health risk factors is due to the saturated fat in the meat, red meat having more of it than white meat.
Saturated fat is associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure.
The saturated fat in meat is, however, mostly in the visible fat in the meat, and little or none in the lean meat. In 100g of visible fat in red meat, there is 37g of saturated fat, where as in 100g of lean meat, there is 1.5g of saturated fat.
The visible fat in the meat is associated with higher total and LDL blood cholesterol, where as lean meat is not. The cholesterol content in lean meat is fairly low and there is no big difference between all the types and cuts. The cholesterol content, depending on the part of the meat, per 100g edible portion is:
To compare the cholesterol in beef vs pork vs chicken vs lamb, in the major red and white meat parts, see the detailed lists below. Note: 100g is equal to 3.5 ounces.
So Which Cuts Of Meat Should You Buy
The study authors noted that in real-world situations, people might not know the leanest cuts of meat or the healthiest ways to cook them.
According to the American Heart Association , the leanest beef cuts include the round, chuck, sirloin, or loin. When it comes to pork, go for the tenderloin or loin chop. For lamb, choose cuts from the leg, arm, and loin. According to USDA guidelines, a 3.5 ounce serving counts as lean if it has 4.5 or fewer grams of saturated fat. The leanest cut, an eye round roast or steak, has only 1.4 grams of saturated fat per serving.
Buy choice or select grades rather than prime, which is also higher in fat, and make your meat extra-lean by cutting off any excess fat before you prepare it. Broil, braise, and grill instead of pan-frying.
Moderation is key. The AHA recommends no more than six ounces a day of cooked lean meat, poultry, fish, or seafood a day for people who consume 2,000 calories daily.
For the latest news and information on living a heart-healthy lifestyle, follow on Twitter from the editors of .
Also Check: Do Cheerios Really Lower Cholesterol
How Is Cholesterol Measured
Most people with high cholesterol feel perfectly well and often have no symptoms. The best way to find out if your cholesterol is high is to have a blood test .
Visit your GP to determine whether you need to lower your cholesterol level and what action to take.
GPs can also do a heart health check, that calculates your heart disease and stroke risk.
Cream: A Real Cholesterol Bomb
While generally all dairy products in their raw forms are high cholesterol foods, cream is one you particularly have to watch out for.
Theres little point in switching from ice cream to healthy fruit salad desserts if you end up smothering them in cream anyway 🙂
An average tablespoon of cream can hold around 15-20 milligrams of cholesterol.
If you use cream it becomes very easy to exceed you daily recommended intake for cholesterol after eating only a relatively small amount of food.
Recommended Reading: Does Shrimp Have High Cholesterol
Beef Jerky Side Effects
Rapid Calorie Gain: For every ounce of beef jerky you consume, you will be gaining about 116 calories. Too many beef jerky calories without enough exercise almost inevitably leads to weight gain.
You need to consume about 3,500 extra calories to gain a pound of fat, so it will take about 30 ounces of beef jerky to gain a pound, provided you don’t reduce the beef jerky calories you consume or lower the calories from your other foods and don’t increase the amount of physical activity in which you partake.
Elevated Cholesterol Levels: Another potential side effect of too much of a beef jerky diet might be elevated amounts of cholesterol in your blood. A 1-ounce serving of beef jerky contains about 14 milligrams of cholesterol and 3.076 grams of total saturated fat.
Meanwhile, a diet that is healthy for the heart should have no more than 22 grams of saturated fat for every 2,000 calories. That said, as mentioned earlier, there is research suggesting that dietary cholesterol might not have as significant an impact on blood cholesterol levels as previously thought.
High Sodium Intake: You get about 506 milligrams of sodium for every ounce of beef jerky you consume, according to the USDA FoodData Central. That means that you could potentially have increased blood pressure from eating too much beef jerky due to all the sodium you’ll be consuming. This increases your risk of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.
Read more:How to Make Healthy, Low Sodium Beef Jerky
What The Study Found
Led by researchers at Childrens Hospital Oakland Research Institute , the study looked at about 100 healthy men and women aged 21 to 65 over a four-year timespan. Participants were assigned to four-week cycles of eating either a high-saturated or low-saturated fat diet, with different tests of red meat, white meat, and plant-based protein sources like beans and legumes.
Expecting a surge mainly in the red-meat group, they were surprised to find that effects on cholesterol were identical in the white-meat group, according to study senior author Ronald Krauss, M.D., director of atherosclerosis research at CHORI.
On average, LDL cholesterolthe bad kindwere about 5 to 6 percent higher on each of the meat diets compared to the non-meat diet.
This could translate to a several percent higher heart disease risk, he told Runners World. However, there was a wide range of variation in response, so the clinical effect could be greater for some. In general, the takeaway here is that if you want to control blood cholesterol levels, diets with a high proportion of plant protein are to be preferred to those with high amounts of either red meat or white meat.
Also Check: Is Tuna Good For High Cholesterol
When It Comes To Cholesterol Levels White Meat May Be No Better Than Red Meat And Plant
- By Katherine D. McManus, MS, RD, LDN, Contributor
A study published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition sparked interest when it reported that red and white meat have a similar effect on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is associated with increased heart disease risk. You may conclude, Well, if chicken is just as bad for my cholesterol as red meat, I may as well order that hamburger.
But lets examine the study more closely before drawing any conclusions.
Do I Need To Cut Down On Dietary Cholesterol
Most people dont need to cut down on the cholesterol thats found in foods- so you can still enjoy eggs and shellfish.
Its much more important to cut down on foods which contain saturated fats. Thats because saturated fats affect how the liver handles cholesterol. So, eating saturated fats can raise your blood cholesterol. Try to replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats which are better for your heart.
For some people those with familial hypercholesterolaemia , those who have high cholesterol, and those who are at high risk of or have cardiovascular disease the recommendation is to limit cholesterol in food to no more than 300mg a day. In the case of FH, ideally less than 200 mg a day.
Even though dietary cholesterol only has a small effect on blood cholesterol, people with high cholesterol and FH already have high levels of blood cholesterol, so it seems sensible not to eat too much cholesterol in food.
Read Also: Cholesterol Deficiency Symptoms
Consider Red Meat Substitutes
The fact that there are better red meat choices for a low-cholesterol diet still doesn’t negate the fact that a diet high in any type of red meat can pose health consequences, including an increased risk of cancer.
According to Dr. Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, as told to Harvard Men’s Health Watch, “The evidence shows that people with a relatively low intake have lower health risks…a general recommendation is that people should stick to no more than two to three servings per week.”
The following substitutes are great options to consider for the days you don’t eat red meat:
- Skinless chicken or turkey breast
- Fish
- Beans and lentils
All of these provide substantial protein, which can make for a satisfying meal.
Research suggests that a high protein meal can improve appetite control and satiety, which may lead to a decrease in food consumption at later meals.
Some of these protein options offer additional nutritional benefits as well. For instance, certain fish, like salmon, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is a type of unsaturated fat that can actually lower your risk of heart disease.
You might also consider “fake meat” burgers, such as the Impossible Burger or the Beyond Burger, which have been specifically designed to closely mimic red meat.
What Is Beef Tallow And Is It A Healthy Cooking Fat
Last Updated on April 30, 2019 by Michael Joseph
Beef tallow is a traditional fat that was once a staple ingredient in kitchens around the world.
However, tallow all but disappeared from health conscious peoples kitchens during the 20th centurys low-fat boom.
In recent years, tallow has started to grow in popularity once more following movements such as the paleo diet. But is it a healthy cooking fat?
This article examines the evidence and looks at the benefits and drawbacks of tallow.
Also Check: Is Shrimp Bad For Your Cholesterol
Butter And Some Oils The Silent Cholesterol Attack
Butter is a high cholesterol food which is something of a silent killer many people never consider the health implications of eating butter because it seems like such a relatively minor part of their diet.
The reality is the butter you spread on your toast and use for cooking can make a huge contribution to your cholesterol levels.
The same applies to certain cooking oils which contain saturated fats like palm oil.
Now, be careful if you want to substitute butter with margarine though some margarine products contain trans fats rather than saturated fats, which actually stimulate the production of bad cholesterol inside your body.
Ideally you want to find spreads and cooking oil products which made from foods high in unsaturated fats.
Olive oil and olive oil based spreads are good examples.
What Is Beef Liver
Beef liver is an organ meat from cows. Some people may also refer to it as offal or variety meats.
These terms typically refer to the internal organs and entrails of animals that a butcher may discard after preparing them. Offal can also include the heart, kidneys, and tongue.
Some cultures may not eat offal, while others consume it regularly and may consider it a delicacy.
Similar to human liver, beef liver is an essential organ for the cow, and it performs multiple important functions. Some of these vital functions involve metabolism, detoxification, and the storage of vitamins and minerals, which is why liver is so nutrient dense.
Among organ meats, animal livers typically contain the highest protein content and best amino acid profile. They are also great sources of vitamin A and B vitamins.
In fact, due to its nutritional benefits, some people may refer to beef liver as a superfood.
Beef liver is nutrient dense and has numerous health benefits. In addition to their good vitamin profile, animal livers such as beef liver are also rich in minerals, including zinc, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and copper.
These minerals are good for the body in the following ways:
- Zinc supports the immune system.
- Iron is essential for proper hemoglobin production.
- Phosphorus aids bone and tooth health.
- Selenium plays an important role in metabolism.
- Copper is vital for energy production.
The recommended amount of liver consumption is in the range of
Don’t Miss: Are Mussels High In Cholesterol
Foods Labeled ‘low Cholesterol’
When you’re shopping and you see an item that says it’s low in cholesterol, you still need to check the nutrition label. If it’s high in saturated fat, it can raise your LDL cholesterol. Also check the serving size. It might be smaller than you think, and if you eat too much, you’ll get more cholesterol than you realized.
Eat Fewer Refined Grains Such As White Flour
Were a nation of white food eaters white bread, white rice, white pasta, and white-flour foods like muffins, croissants, bagels, crackers, dried cereals, tortillas, pretzels, and chips. Yes, more than half of many Americans typical diets are made up of hyperprocessed refined white flour, often injected with sugar, salt, and/or fat.
Thats a real problem in part because the more white, or refined, grains we eat, the fewer whole grains we tend to take in. Research has found that eating whole grains can help lower both total and LDL cholesterol, and improve heart health.
In Harvard Universitys Nurses Health Study, for example, women who ate two to three servings of whole-grain products each day were 30% less likely to have a heart attack or die from heart disease over a 10-year period than women who ate less than one serving of whole grains per week.2
When first starting to make the switch from refined to whole grains, many people often feel a bit confused. Where to begin? Whats whole? What isnt?
The registered dietitians at the Pritikin Longevity Center start with one very simple rule. When looking at products like breads and cereals, they recommend turning the package around and making sure the first word in the Ingredient List is whole. If you see the word whole at the top of the list, its a good bet that what youre buying is in fact 100% whole grain, or close to it.
Don’t Miss: Does Shrimp Have High Cholesterol
Duck: Okay In Small Quantities
It makes sense to assume that duck should be relatively low in cholesterol like similar meats such as chicken and turkey. In small quantities duck isnt particularly harmful, but since its typically served as part of a large meal its easy to take in a large quantity of cholesterol from a duck meal. This is the case regardless of whether the skin is removed.
Its not unusual for a serving of duck such as one you might get at a Chinese restaurant to contain over 100 milligrams of cholesterol in the meat alone, not including cholesterol in gravies and cooking oils.
Eat More Plant Sources Of Protein
Excellent plant proteins include beans all beans, like lentils, red beans, pinto beans, and soybeans. Rather than raising blood cholesterol levels, as animal sources of protein do, beans actually help lower cholesterol.
Beans also help reduce blood sugar and insulin levels, and may even lower cancer risk.
Recommended Reading: Does Tuna Have Good Or Bad Cholesterol
What You Should Worry About
Should you actually worry about cholesterol in food? The greater danger for everyone is in foods that are high in trans fats.
Those often appear on food labels as hydrogenated oils or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, he says. Those types of fats do tend to raise cholesterol and do tend to increase the risk of heart disease.
All in all, look for trans fat and saturated fat on labels at the grocery store. The American Heart Association recommends limiting dietary saturated fat intake and focusing more on eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean animal protein or plant protein sources.
Whole Milk And Other Full
Some doctors and nutritionists recommend people with high cholesterol to get rid of dairy products from their diet altogether.
This will depend on exactly how high your cholesterol levels are, but many people wont have to go to quite such an extreme.
Dairy products provide many people with essential nutrients, such as calcium for strong bones. There are other foods that can deliver these nutrients but dairy products are convenient and slot nicely into a well-rounded diet.
However, you do need to take steps to cut down your cholesterol intake from dairy by using low-fat or no-fat options.
You can also replace certain dairy products with soy-based products, which are lower in cholesterol.
Some soy-based products also contribute to your good cholesterol levels, helping you lower your overall risk of heart disease and heart attacks.
Recommended Reading: Do Egg Beaters Have Cholesterol