DIET TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL

Providing Information on Foods That Lower Cholesterol and Low Cholesterol Recipes.

Archive for August, 2008

Everyone should understand the significance of cholesterol whether you are a fitness freak or someone who never works out.   Often times though, cholesterol is misunderstood by those who do not know very much about it and it is constantly underestimated by those who do not know they suffer from high cholesterol.  Cholesterol is good because it is essential for our bodies to function but it can also be bad if improperly used.  It is also extremely important when you are on a diet to lower cholesterol that you understand the difference between the good cholesterol and the bad cholesterol.

The good cholesterol is called HDL cholesterol which stands for high-density lipoprotein.  HDL’s role is to help keep our body functioning properly and to maintain the cell walls so they are healthy.  When we have high levels in our bodies it helps protect us against a heart attack whereas low levels increase the risk of heart disease.  It is believed by experts that it helps carry bad cholesterol away from the arteries and liver where it is then expelled from the body.

The bad cholesterol is called LDL cholesterol which stands for low-density lipoprotein).  An overabundance of this in your body can cause you to either have a heart attack ora stroke.  It operates by slowly building up on your cell walls over time.  It gradually narrows your arteries and eventually clogs them which results in you having a heart attack or a serious stroke.

This is why it is extremely important to get cholesterol readings.  They typically include three items:  a HDL cholesterol reading, a LDL cholesterol reading, and a total cholesterol reading.  Most people just look for total cholesterol readings, but you need to keep an eye on all three readings.

Knowing the normal cholesterol numbers will help you learn when you need to start taking some action against your cholesterol.  Your total cholesterol reading should be below 200.  If it reaches 140, this can be very dangerous.  Your LDL cholesterol should be below 130.  If it reaches 160, then you need to start adjusting your diet to lower cholesterol.  Your HDL cholesterol readings should be above 45.  You should be concerned if it falls below 40.

To get your cholesterol tested, you should consult your doctor and he will be able to test your cholesterol levels.  If you do wind up having a high cholesterol level, then you can change some things in your diet to lower cholesterol which will help in reducing cholesterol before your next visit.  Make sure your diet has plenty of protein which you can find in dark meat and fish.  Also include 6 servings of fruit and vegetables in your daily means and try to stay away from foods high in fat.

Once you learn the difference between good cholesterol and bad cholesterol it is easier to understand what the doctor is talking about when you go and get a cholesterol reading.  You want more HDL cholesterol and less LDL cholesterol.  Knowing the test results will help you determine if you need to be on medication or if you can just control it with a diet to lower cholesterol.

The latest buzz that has everyone bothered these days is high cholesterol levels. You only need to worry about getting a high cholesterol level if you have a family member who has had it, are slightly overweight, and eat mostly fast foods. If this is the case, you should consider going on a diet to lower cholesterol which is the key to reducing cholesterol.

There is an easier way to keep your cholesterol levels low besides taking drugs that are geared towards reducing cholesterol. The easiest way to stay off cholesterol medication is to not smoke, drink alcohol in moderation, and make sure your get plenty of exercise. If you have any high risk factors for getting high cholesterol levels, like a parent or grandparent who already has it, then you should start implementing these easy tasks into your life right now.

Making sure that your cholesterol levels remain low is very important to your health in the long run because it can help prevent any heart problems that may arise. Along with the three methods mentioned above, there are other steps you can take right now that will also help reduce cholesterol in your body to normal levels.

One way is to start your day off with a healthy breakfast in the morning. You should try to aim for eating a breakfast filled with at least ten grams of fiber because fiber helps reduce your cholesterol levels. The best meal one can eat in the morning is oatmeal.

If the idea of eating oatmeal does not appeal to you then you can try to find a cold cereal that has plenty of fiber in it. Another great way to make the oatmeal or cereal taste better is to add some fruit to it like bananas and apples. My favorite cold cereal that helps lower cholesterol is Kellogg’s Special K Red Berries cereal.

Another way is to switch out your normal oils you use for cooking and start using olive oil. Olive oil is a much healthier option and is widely known as the best vegetable oil on the market. All you need in your daily diet to lower cholesterol is two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil which will help reduce the bad cholesterol while leaving your good cholesterol levels normal.

Another way to lower the bad cholesterol while not destroying the good cholesterol is to start eating some walnuts. It has been said, that if you start eating walnuts daily that you can significantly lower your cholesterol levels in just four weeks. Walnuts also have the added bonus of improving your health by helping to keep your blood vessels in good physical shape.

If you currently suffer from a high cholesterol level or have relatives who have a history of high cholesterol, then you should try to start reducing cholesterol levels now. Lowering your cholesterol can be a simple as making a few changes in your diet to lower cholesterol. You can start eating a breakfast filled with fiber, start using olive oil, and start eating a daily dose of walnuts. Just making these small changes will help keep your cholesterol low and provide you a healthier lifestyle.