What About Plant Stanols Or Sterols Products
If you have high cholesterol, using foods with added plant stanols and sterols has been shown to help to lower cholesterol levels. You need to eat 1.5-3g of plant stanols or sterols, in combination with a healthy diet, to see a reduction in cholesterol.
You can get this from fortified foods such as mini drinks, spreads, milk and yoghurts from both branded and supermarket own label products. If you decide to use these products, follow guidelines on the packet to get the right amount. However, they are not a substitute for healthy diet nor a replacement for cholesterol lowering medication. And if you dont have high cholesterol, these products are not recommended. Find out more in our Stanols and Sterols fact sheet.
What Foods Are High In Cholesterol
Some foods naturally contain cholesterol, called dietary cholesterol. According to the NHS, dietary cholesterol has much less of an effect on the cholesterol levels in your blood than saturated and trans fats . Foods high in dietary cholesterol include:
- Organ meats
- Eggs
- Prawns
Eating too many foods high in saturated fat can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood. This is because saturated fats cause your liver to produce more LDL cholesterol. Its best to replace saturated and trans-fats with healthy unsaturated fats.
Foods high in saturated fat include:
- Butter, ghee, and lard
- Foods containing coconut oil, palm oil, and cocoa butter
Trans fats can also raise cholesterol levels . Foods containing trans fats include:
- Processed foods like pastries, pies, cakes, and biscuits made with trans-fat vegetable oils
- Commercially fried food products
- Fries or potato chips fried in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils
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Eat More High Fibre Foods
Eating plenty of fibre helps lower your risk of heart disease and some high fibre foods can help lower your cholesterol. To make sure you get enough fibre:
- Aim for five portions of fruit and vegetables a day
- Switch to wholegrain varieties of bread, cereals, pasta and rice
- Choose other high fibre foods such as pulses , oats, unsalted nuts and seeds
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Where Can You Get Your Cholesterol Tested
Measuring your cholesterol involves taking a sample of blood. Often your health-care professional will recommend and arrange these tests during an office visit, although it is best to have the blood drawn after fasting for 14-16 hours.
Cholesterol screening opportunities are often available in the community such as:
- Screenings held in shopping centers
- Community health fairs
Add Herbs And Spices To Your Diet
Herbs and spices are powerhouses of nutrients that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and various important antioxidants.
In several human studies, regular consumption of garlic, ginger, and turmeric has been found to be particularly effective in lowering cholesterol.
In fact, consuming one garlic clove every day for 3 months can effectively reduce total cholesterol by up to 9%.
Herbs and spices also contain antioxidants that prevent bad LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, therefore reducing the development of plaque in your arteries.
Even though herbs and spices are not typically consumed in large quantities, they can significantly increase the total amount of antioxidants taken each day.
Both fresh and dried herbs and spices can greatly help you to reduce cholesterol levels. These include antioxidants that prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Cholesterol-lowering antioxidants are found in abundance in dried oregano, mint, sage, clove, thyme, allspice, and cinnamon, as well as fresh herbs including marjoram, oregano, dill, and cilantro.
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When To See Your Doctor
If you have a family history of high cholesterol, and are concerned about your own levels, its a good idea to see your healthcare provider. High levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease. Some people have familial hypercholesterolemia , which is an inherited disorder that makes it more challenging to remove low-density lipoprotein cholesterol from your blood. This results in high LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
Treatment For High Cholesterol
Making lifestyle changes, especially changing some of the foods you eat, and regular physical activity, are very important to help reduce high LDL cholesterol.
You may also need to take cholesterol-lowering medicines to help manage your cholesterol and reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Talk to your doctor about finding the most appropriate treatment for you.
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How Much Is Too Much Saturated Fats
Most foods you choose should contain no more than 2 grams of saturated fat per serving. To help lower your LDL cholesterol, no more than 5 to 6 percent of your daily calorie intake should come from saturated fats. Use the list below to figure out the maximum amount of saturated fat you can have each day.
- Daily Calories:1,200
- Daily Saturated Fat Limit : 7-8g
Cook With Herbs And Spices
Herbs and spices are nutritional powerhouses packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Human studies have shown that garlic, turmeric and ginger are especially effective at lowering cholesterol when eaten regularly .
In fact, eating just one garlic clove per day for three months is enough to lower total cholesterol by 9% .
In addition to lowering cholesterol, herbs and spices contain antioxidants that prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, reducing the formation of plaques within your arteries .
Even though herbs and spices are not typically eaten in large quantities, they can contribute significantly to the total amount of antioxidants consumed each day .
Dried oregano, sage, mint, thyme, clove, allspice and cinnamon contain some of the highest numbers of antioxidants, as well as fresh herbs such as oregano, marjoram, dill and cilantro .
Summary Both fresh and dried herbs and spices can help lower cholesterol levels. They contain antioxidants that prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
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Medicines To Lower Cholesterol
For some people, making lifestyle changes alone does not their lower cholesterol enough. They may also need to take medicines. There are several types of cholesterol-lowering drugs available. They work in different ways and can have different side effects. Talk to your health care provider about which medicine is right for you.
Even if you take medicines to lower your cholesterol, you still need to continue with lifestyle changes.
Cholesterol Comes In Two Types
High-Density Lipoprotein is sometimes referred to as good cholesterol. HDL removes cholesterol from the artery walls and transports it to the liver where it is removed from the body.
Foods containing HDL are nuts, soy, and fish.
Low-Density Lipoprotein is often referred to as bad cholesterol. LDL deposits cholesterol in the artery walls, which can cause buildup that can narrow or block blood vessels and increase the risk of heart and vascular disease.
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Avoid Consuming Artificial Trans Fats
While trans fats naturally exist in red meat and dairy products, most individuals obtain them through artificial trans fats, which are found in many restaurant dishes and processed foods.
Artificial trans fats are created by hydrogenation that means adding hydrogen to unsaturated fats such as vegetable oils to modify their molecular structure and make them solid at room temperature.
Trans fats are a low-cost alternative to natural saturated fats and are widely used by food manufacturers and restaurants.
However, substantial evidence suggests that consuming artificial trans fats raises bad LDL cholesterol, lowers good HDL cholesterol, and is associated with a 23% increased risk of heart disease.
When you buy food items, in the ingredients list, look for the word partially hydrogenated. This term indicates the presence of trans fat in that product and hence should be avoided.
As of June 2018, artificial trans fats are no longer allowed in restaurants or processed foods sold in the United States, making it much easier for you to avoid them.
Naturally occurring trans fats present in dairy products and meat can also raise bad LDL cholesterol.
However, they are present in such small amounts that they are not generally considered a major health risk.
Increase The Amount Of Fiber In Your Diet
Most of us do not get enough fiber in our diet. The recommended amount is 25-35 grams of dietary fiber per day. Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest. As fiber passes through the body, it affects the way the body digests foods and absorbs nutrients. Fiber can help reduce your LDL cholesterol level. A fiber-rich diet can also help control blood sugar, promote regularity, prevent gastrointestinal disease and help you manage your weight.
There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. To receive the greatest health benefit, eat a wide variety of all high-fiber foods. Refined foods, like white bread, white pasta and enriched cereals are low in fiber. The refining process strips the outer coat from the grain, which reduces the amount of fiber that’s left.
The best sources of fiber are whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes .
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Old Fave: Green Lentils New Fave: Black Lentils
Black lentils, sometimes called beluga lentils because of the beluga caviar they resemble, are less earthy-tasting than most other lentils. You’ll get about 12 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber in a half-cup cooked. They also have anthocyanins, antioxidants that are also in dark berries.
Serve it up: Black lentils hold their shape and texture once cooked. Try them in soups or in salads mixed with chopped veggies and vinaigrette.
Get To Know Your Grocery Store
With the wide selection of foods, grocery shopping can sometimes get quite overwhelming when starting a lipid-lowering diet and this can place you at risk of resorting back to your tried-and-true, unhealthy foods.
To get around this, you should always create a list of healthy foods you would like to eat before going to the grocery store and stick to it. If you do not like to make lists, you can select cholesterol-friendly foods by “shopping the perimeter.” Fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products are found in the outside aisles of the grocery store, while packaged and processed foods are stored in the interior aisles.
Purchase two fresh fruits or vegetables that you have not tried before or have not had in a while. Fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, berries, bananas, carrots, and broccoli, are an important source of soluble fiber, which can lower your LDL cholesterol levels.
For packaged foods, start looking at snacks and meals with health claims of “high-fiber” or “whole-grain” and begin to look at the nutrition facts label listed on the product. Don’t feel that you have to completely understand the information listed on the nutrition label right away just get in the habit of looking at it for now.
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What Are Normal Cholesterol Levels
The American Heart Association recommends getting your cholesterol levels checked every 4-6 years after age 20. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, cholesterol levels are classified as follows:
- Total cholesterol
- Acceptable levels: Lower than 170 mg/dL
- Borderline: 170 to 199 mg/dL
- High: 200 or higher
Eat Fewer Added Sugars
Its not just saturated and trans fats that can raise cholesterol levels. Eating too many added sugars can do the same thing .
One study found that adults who consumed 25% of their calories from drinks made with high-fructose corn syrup experienced a 17% increase in LDL cholesterol in just two weeks .
Even more troubling, fructose increases the number of small, dense oxidized LDL cholesterol particles which contribute to heart disease .
Between 2005 and 2010, an estimated 10% of Americans consumed over 25% of their daily calories from added sugars .
According to a 14-year study, these people were almost three times more likely to die from heart disease than those getting less than 10% of their calories from added sugars .
The American Heart Association recommends eating no more than 100 calories of added sugar per day for women and children, and no more than 150 calories per day for men .
You can meet these goals by reading labels carefully and choosing products without added sugars whenever possible.
Summary Getting more than 25% of your daily calories from added sugars can raise cholesterol levels and more than double your risk of dying from heart disease. Cut back by choosing foods without added sugars as much as possible.
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Are Potatoes Bad For Cholesterol
Because potatoes provide essential elements that individuals require and may be utilized in healthful cookery, potatoes prepared in the proper manner are unlikely to raise harmful cholesterol levels. Potatoes are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, yet they are low in cholesterol and fats. You are free to consume whatever flavor you like.
Saturated And Trans Fats
Foods high in saturated and trans fats top the list of items to reduce or eliminate on a low cholesterol diet. The American Heart Association recommends reducing saturated fat to less than 6% of total daily calories if you need to lower cholesterol levels. Trans fats are found in margarine, baked goods, non-dairy coffee creamer, and fried foods. Saturated fats are in many common foods, so its helpful to read food labels while shopping.
Interestingly, lard, which is pork fat, is lower in saturated fat and higher in monounsaturated fat than butter. It has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. That said, it is still a middle-of-the-road choice when it comes to cooking, and whenever possible, you should opt for healthier fats like olive oil.
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Should You Be Concerned If Your Cholesterol Increases With Low
This is an emerging area of research that is currently the focus of a great deal of debate and uncertainty.
Traditional experts in the field of lipids and heart disease view elevated LDL cholesterol with concern because it typically reflects a high concentration of LDL particles circulating in the bloodstream.
Excessive amounts of LDL particles have been found to be associated with the development of atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of heart disease. In atherosclerosis, LDL particles are known to end up in damaged artery walls, and connected to an inflammatory response. Over time, cholesterol, calcium, white blood cells and other substances accumulate at the site to form a plaque. Many if not most heart attacks and strokes are caused when a plaque ruptures and forms a clot that blocks arterial blood flow.
The length of time that arteries are exposed to high levels of LDL particles is believed to play a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis. Smaller LDL particles typically spend more time in the bloodstream than larger particles do, making them easier targets for oxidation and incorporation into plaque.18 Moreover, people who have a lot of small LDL particles tend to have low HDL cholesterol and elevated triglycerides all of which are markers of insulin resistance and reflect increased cardiovascular disease risk.
- Lower blood glucose levels
- Lower insulin levels
- Increase in insulin sensitivity
What Causes High Cholesterol & How To Lower It:
High cholesterol can be caused by several factorsincluding family history. Lack of exercise, being overweight, an unhealthy diet , plus smoking can all play a role in raising your cholesterol. According to the CDC, a total cholesterol of over 200 mg/dL is considered high. However, there are no symptoms of high cholesterol, so be sure to have a discussion with your medical provider about getting your levels checked. Although high cholesterol doesn’t have symptoms, side effects of high cholesterol include heart attack and stroke, so it’s important to practice prevention and discuss your risk factors at your annual visit.
To reduce risk, there are several lifestyle changes we can make, like increasing exercise and focusing on a diet that is high in fiber and healthy unsaturated fats , while limiting excess sugar and saturated or trans fats. Plus, losing weight if you’re overweight can positively improve your cholesterol, so we set this plan at 1,500 calories, which is a level where most people will lose weight. We also included modifications for 1,200 or 2,000 calories a day, depending on your needs.
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Limit Bad Fats And Cholesterol
Research shows that there isn’t really a link between how much fat you eat and your risk of disease. The biggest influence on your risk is the type of fat you eat. Two unhealthy fats, including saturated and trans fats, increase the amount of cholesterol in your blood cholesterol and increase your risk of developing heart disease. However, two very different types of fat monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats do just the opposite. In fact, research shows that cutting back on saturated fat and replacing it with mono and polyunsaturated fats can help lower the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood.
What Are Hdl Ldl And Vldl
HDL, LDL, and VLDL are lipoproteins. They are a combination of fat and protein. The lipids need to be attached to the proteins so they can move through the blood. Different types of lipoproteins have different purposes:
- HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. It is sometimes called “good” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body.
- LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. It is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol because a high LDL level leads to the buildup of plaque in your arteries.
- VLDL stands for very low-density lipoprotein. Some people also call VLDL a “bad” cholesterol because it too contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. But VLDL and LDL are different VLDL mainly carries triglycerides and LDL mainly carries cholesterol.
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