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MAIN
Health
Cholesterol
Practical
ways to lower
cholesterol in your diet:
Skip the eggs and start the day with oatmeal,
one of the top cholesterol-lowering foods.
Substitute butter with canola oil, olive oil,
or plant sterol spreads like Promise, Benecol
or Smart Balance.
Rather than beef or pork, add more poultry (with
the skin removed) and fish to the menu.
Skip the cheesecake and other high fat desserts,
and opt for angel food cake, fresh fruit, gelatin,
yogurt.
(Your
waistline will thank you, too.)
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Cholesterol
is a term we hear quite often in reference to our health.
But what exactly is cholesterol?
Cholesterol
refers to a waxy substance found in the bloodstream naturally
produced by the body and from the foods we consume. Cholesterol
is necessary because it serves several bodily functions, but
too much cholesterol can result in a build up of plaque which
can clog the arteries, resulting in risk of coronary heart
disease and stroke.
Good
& bad cholesterol
There
are two types of cholesterol. LDL (low density lipoprotein)
is known as bad cholesterol. HDL (high density lipoprotein)
is referred to as good cholesterol, which carries plaque to
the liver
for disposal.
LDL cholesterol
carries substances that are necessary for cell function and
development, but when there is an excess of LDL it can build
up in the walls of arteries slowing or even stopping the flow
of blood.
Diet
& cholesterol
Fatty
meats such as beef and pork are quiet high in cholesterol.
Egg yolks and dairy products are also high in cholesterol.
If you already suffer from high cholesterol levels it is important
that you limit foods such as these that have high cholesterol
content.
Eat egg
whites but limit consumption of egg yolks. Include more fish
and poultry in your diet as well as fruits and vegetables.
Limit the consumptions of dairy products. Include beans, peas,
oatmeal, grains and tofu in your diet. Use cooking oils such
as olive, peanut and safflower. Eating wisely can help lower
your cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol
dangers
People
who have high cholesterol levels are often unaware of the
condition since there are no symptoms.
Plaque
builds up in the arteries over time and can take several years
before serious health conditions result. Plaque causes a narrowing
of the arteries, decreasing proper blood flow through the
circulatory
system. If the flow of blood becomes blocked, a stroke
or heart attack can occur.
It is
important to have your cholesterol levels checked periodically
so that you know whether you are at risk. Although certain
types of cholesterol lowering drugs like statins and other
medications may be prescribed, you can also lower your cholesterol
levels by simply watching your diet.
About
the author: Darlene
Zagata
More
about cholesterol around the Web:
Low
Cholesterol Foods - Good discussion on how to lower
cholesterol through diet with lists of foods and subsitutes,
with more information on high cholesterol foods to avoid.
4
Tips to Lower Cholesterol Fast - WebMD guide with
facts & information on HDL, LDL and tryglyerides, overview
of statin drugs and other cholestrol-lowering medications,
plus tips & advice on low cholesterol foods and exercise
to reduce risk.
Statins:
Are these cholesterol-lowering drugs right for you?
- Mayo Clinic guide to the pros and cons of the popular cholesterol-lowering
drug treatment including information on benefits, side effects,
diet tips.
also
see -> Homocysteine
Levels | How
Red Wine Fights Cholesterol
Top
Ten Foods for Better Health | Cholesterol
Food Substitutions
This
information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.
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