Fighting high cholesterol with Low Cholesterol Diets

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance, found primarily among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream. It comes from two sources: your body (made primarily by the liver) and dietary cholesterol from the foods you eat. Cholesterol is essential to life because it's used to build cell membranes and manufacture certain hormones. But the body can manufacture virtually all the cholesterol you need. The excess cholesterol, most of it from dietary products is what causes problems.

A high level of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for heart attack (coronary heart disease). Not all cholesterol is bad, however. There are two types: HDL and LDL. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are considered "good" because they carry cholesterol to the liver to digest so it can be removed from the body. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are considered "bad" cholesterol because they transport much of the cholesterol into the blood. When LDL levels are high, arteries are much more likely to become clogged, increasing your risk for heart problems.

Why practice a low cholesterol diet?

A low cholesterol diet can help lower bad cholesterol. Exericise can help you raise your good cholesterol. It's wise to exercise for thirty minutes almost every day. Anything that gets your body moving, whether walking, running or even gardening, is good.

What else helps cholesterol levels? Quitting smoking if you smoke and losing weight if you are overweight.

How do I do a low cholesterol diet?

Here are a few healthy eating tips for a low cholesterol diet:

Eat broiled or grilled fish and skinless chicken.
Avoid fried foods.
Eat fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Try to include them with every meal and as snacks.
Choose lean cuts of meat. If you don't know what's considered "lean," ask the butcher in the meat section of your grocery store.
Increase your fiber intake. Fiber can help reduce cholesterol. Oatmeal and bran muffins are good sources of fiber.
Limit your intake of saturated fats. Saturated fats are found in full-fat dairy products and meats as well as palm and coconut oils. You can determine the amount of saturated fat in a food by checking the food's nutrition label. If you don't know how to read a nutrition label, ask your doctor or a dietitian.
Avoid foods high in dietary cholesterol. Foods high in dietary cholesterol include egg yolks and liver.
Use low-fat dairy products.

How do I know if a low cholesterol diet is right for me?

Your doctor can determine if you have high cholesterol with simple blood tests. If you don't know if you have high cholesterol, ask your doctor for a test.

Starting a low cholesterol diet plan

Before you start a low cholesterol diet, it's wise to talk with you physician. Only your physician can tell you if a low cholesterol diet is right for you.

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