2023-11-20 17:40:50
Reducing High Cholesterol Levels Through Diet: What You Need to Know
By: Juliane Gutmann
Has your doctor diagnosed you with high cholesterol? With the right diet, you can get your elevated blood lipid levels under control. Cholesterol is a substance that the body largely produces itself and is involved in many vital processes, such as the structure of cells and metabolic processes in the brain. Doctors differentiate between good and bad cholesterol: the latter, known as LDL (low-density lipoproteins), encourages cholesterol to stick to the vessel walls, leading to arteriosclerosis, and promoting the development of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks.
Medications called statins can be used to lower high cholesterol levels. However, a change in lifestyle is often enough to achieve normal values. Excess weight should be reduced, more exercise should be incorporated into everyday life, and smoking should be stopped. Nutrition also plays an important role.
An unbalanced diet promotes the development of elevated cholesterol levels. Too much saturated fatty acids should also be avoided; these are found in ready meals, solid fats such as butter, and also sausage and cheese.
In general, for those who want to lower their cholesterol levels, it is recommended to eat fatty and animal products such as sausage or meat as rarely as possible. Low-fat and plant-based food is recommended, including vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, or peppers, as well as fruits such as berries, apples, melon, and pears. Fatty fish such as tuna or mackerel have a positive effect on cholesterol levels because they contain valuable omega-3 fatty acids.
Unsaturated fatty acids are also found in linseeds, linseed oil, walnuts, rapeseed, or hemp oil. Foods rich in fiber such as legumes and oat flakes are also suitable as “cholesterol-friendly” foods. Raw garlic and dark chocolate are also said to have cholesterol-lowering effects.
For those looking for more guidance on a cholesterol-friendly diet, “The Big Cholesterol Cookbook” contains 140 new recipes for the whole family and all the important information for a low-cholesterol diet.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment, or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about medical conditions.]
#Easily #cholesterol #foods