Supplements for Lowering Cholesterol

Through the previous post these 3 supplements may help lower your Cholesterol naturally. Please be sure to read and follow directions.

Cholesterol Foods - 2

What are Low Cholesterol Foods?

Author: Nick Mutt

A high level of cholesterol is a very serious problem and it increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease as well as stroke and heart attack. Diet high in fats, smoking, drinking and leading a sedentary lifestyle are the major factors for increase in cholesterol level.

Low cholesterol foods are one of the natural ways of lowering cholesterol levels. Following a low cholesterol diet can be very effective in controlling and maintaining a normal cholesterol level. This means eating low cholesterol foods such as soy products, lean meats, nuts, vegetables and fruits are good for healthy heart.

High fiber foods are also very helpful in lowering cholesterol. Regular exercise is also a good habit if you are really trying to lower your cholesterol levels. Exercise helps in increasing HDL (good cholesterol) in the body as well as strengthens your heart muscle, helps keep your blood pressure at normal and even helps you in shedding of those excess pounds.

List of cholesterol lowering foods

1. Vegetables – They are high in dietary fiber and dietary nutrients that aids not only regulated metabolism but also balances cholesterol levels. Other benefits of eating vegetables also include the reduction of heart diseases and cancer as well as high blood pressure.

2. Fruits – This food group is also among the top food groups that lower cholesterol because they are very low in calorie content. Fruits contain large amounts of significant vitamins and nutrients that help prevent of vitamin deficiency as well as other diseases.

3. Grains, Nuts & Seeds - They are in high-energy content and dietary fiber content. This makes them effective foods to lower cholesterol level. They are also known as effective in controlling weight. Nuts and seeds contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals and are also high in dietary fiber.

4. Lean meats - Lean red meats, lean chicken/turkey meats and fish are another important foods in the list of low cholesterol. These are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients that are excellent for a person's metabolism as well as in fighting off bad cholesterol.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Read information on How to lower cholesterol naturally. Also know Cholesterol lowering foods at Natural cures website – a comprehensive health guide for Herbal supplements and natural treatments.

About the Author:

Nick Mutt is an active writer and blogger on health related topics. He has published many ebooks on natural health.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - What are Low Cholesterol Foods?

Cholesterol Foods

Low Cholesterol Foods: Reducing Cholesterol Levels Naturally by Eating the Proper Foods

Author: Steven R Arnold

Always choosing low cholesterol foods is the most direct and natural way to ensure that your cholesterol levels remain in the acceptable range to promote longevity and vitality. Hypercholesterolemia is an enemy of your body from head to toe.

There are very few if any symptoms until it has advanced to a problematic state. You need to intervene before you have to. Your diet for lowering cholesterol can be your saving grace from developing atherosclerosis and the major health issues that can arise from it.

High cholesterol foods are killing people all across the planet everyday in record high numbers. Many societies that were traditionally plant-eaters have adopted the American way of eating and are now suffering, as we are, from the long-term effects of food choices that are high in saturated fats, Trans fats and LDL cholesterol. Here are the foods that you need to avoid with great intent:

• Foods high in saturated fats;


• Foods with any Trans fats;


• Fatty red meats;


• Pork, duck and goose meats;


• Animal organs;


• Shellfish;


• Poultry including turkey and chicken;


• All dairy products unless they are low-fat or non-fat varieties;


• High sodium foods;


• Excessive alcohol consumption;

Low cholesterol foods are the foods that nature has intended for us. Through erroneous thought and misinformation, we have become the most artery-clogged and obese nation on the planet. We are also influencing the rest of the planet to eat and act like us – which is killing them as well. The bottom line is that we all should be eating foods like:

• Any plant including all vegetables, fruits and legumes;


• Whole-grain pastas and breads;


• Wild rice;


• Any plant sprouts;


• Any whole food that requires no label;


• Salmon and other fish that are rich in super-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids;


• Water, water and more water;

How to lower cholesterol naturally is all about what you eat, how much you get up and move, how you deal with the issues that stress you - and how much you assist your body to keep itself clean on the inside by flushing with water and intending to breathe deeply. Reducing cholesterol is a wonderful way to enhance the health of your entire family – and who doesn’t want that above all else?

Choosing low cholesterol foods in conjunction with daily exercise for at least 20 minutes will very rapidly change all areas of your life. You will almost instantly begin to feel, and see, the differences in your body. Your thoughts will be clearer and quicker. Your skin will be smoother. Your muscles will become stronger. Your fat storages will melt away. Your spark for living will blossom. Your stressors will seem minimized. Everything in life will take on new, vibrant meaning as soon as you commit to a healthy lifestyle based on low cholesterol foods and daily exercise. Enjoy – and congratulations!

About the Author:

Steven R Arnold is editor of http://fatsense.com



The Healthy Heart Series of Essential Knowledge Guides is a new audio book series that will show you how to naturally lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose numbers safely and easily.



You'll find the Healthy Heart Series of Essential Knowledge Guides only at http://fatsense.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Low Cholesterol Foods: Reducing Cholesterol Levels Naturally by Eating the Proper Foods

Foods to Control Cholesterol (Avoid and Add)

Controlling Cholesterol-20 Point Plan

Author: Alphonso Smith

Controlling Cholesterol

To decrease saturated fats in your diet:

• Read labels on food packages. Don’t look only for cholesterol content. Look for saturated or hidden fats. This especially applies to commercially baked goods such as cakes, pies, cookies, doughnuts, crackers and chip
  
  
• Replace butter with vegetable oil. Use canola, corn, sunflower, safflower, soybean and olive oil in food preparation. Avoid hydrogenated soybean or cottonseed oil.

• Use skim or low-fat (1 percent) milk.

• Shun products containing palm or coconut oil.

• Eat low-fat cheeses such as part-skim mozzarella.

• Instead of ice cream, choose ice milk, sherbet or low-fat yogurt.

• Trim all visible fat from meat. Select lean cuts of beef, veal or pork.

• Avoid high-fat meat products such as hot dogs, hamburgers, bacon, sausage, bologna and salami.


• Eat more chicken and turkey (with skin removed) and more fish.
• 
  Choose turkey, lean roast beef, lean ham and water-packed albacore tuna fish for sandwiches.



• Prepare more meals that use meat sparingly. Soups, stews, stir-fry meals and pasta dishes call for more vegetables and carbohydrates and less meat.
• 
  Broil, bake or steam foods instead of frying them.




• Make you own salad dressings, using less oil.

  
  

To decrease cholesterol in you diet:

• Limit your consumption of egg yolks to one or two a week.
• 
  Use egg whites and Better than eggs product in food preparation.





• Eat moderate portions of lean meat, fish and poultry. Keep your daily consumption at about 6 ounces.

  
  
• Avoid organ meats (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads etc.





• Eat fewer commercially baked products (cakes, pies, cookies, doughnuts, crackers and chips),

  
  

• Regular physical exercise can help increase the level of HDL—or good—cholesterol.

  
  

You can do a number of things to improve your cholesterol level. Eating healthy

Food can help lower your LDL cholesterol level. You can lower your risk by quitting smoking, losing weight and exercising.

The American Heart Association is an excellent source of information at a very low cost. If you have access to the internet, a good wbsite for information is the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

Try these::Fish, poultry without the skin; lean beef pork and lamb, turkey products, instead of Sausage, bacon, organ meats(like liver) Nonfat or low-fat milk instead of
Whole milk. Sherbet, sorbet, fat-free ice cream instead of Ice cream. Egg whites, egg substitutes,(better than eggs) instead of Egg yolks.Raw or steamed vegetables instead of Buttered or fried vegetable. Baked potatoes instead of French fries.Clear soups instead of Creamed soups. Unsaturated vegetable oils: olive, corn, canola oil palm oil, lard, bacon fat instead of Saturated fats: butter, coconut oil. Angel food cake, reduced-fat cheesecake instead of regular Cheesecake. Pretzels, air-popped popcorn, fat-free Potato chip instead of regular popcorn or regular Potato chips. Pancakes or cereal with nonfat milk,Bagels, English muffins instead of Pastries, doughnuts.

Attempt to lower your cholesterol level by changing your diet. There is always medicine if all else fails. Consult your physician

About the Author:

The Author Alphonso Smith is and has been for 20 years a personal security design specialist. Has two books in the works. He also is a fledgling internet marketer Check out our website: <"http://www.good healthmatters.blogspot.info

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Controlling Cholesterol-20 Point Plan

Foods To Bring Down Cholesterol

How to Lower Cholesterol: Lower Cholesterol Naturally With Holistic Lifestyle Modifications

Author: Steven R Arnold

There are no hidden secrets concerning how to lower cholesterol. It simply requires the planning and initiation of positive lifestyle modifications in terms of diet, exercise and stress management. Your eating and exercise habits are what has caused your cholesterol levels to become elevated – and they are also what will bring your cholesterol levels back into check. Yes, there are some drugs manufactured by multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical companies that can help in reducing cholesterol levels, but your first line of defense against high cholesterol is a healthy diet and lifestyle. You can effectively bring down cholesterol naturally by following the helpful tips below:

Avoid high cholesterol foods:

High cholesterol foods cause increased levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL) that carry cholesterol to build up a waxy plaque on the interior of your arterial walls. This is called hypercholesterolemia, the cause of atherosclerosis, and is characterized by the following:

• Your heart has to work harder to pump blood through the narrowed arterial openings;


• With the restricted blood flow, your body parts, tissues and organs become starved for oxygen and nutrients;


• Your arteries become stretched and weakened;


• Your probability for congestive heart failure, myocardial infarctions, strokes and kidney failure all significantly increase;


• You take years of enjoyment away from your life and from those that love you.

List of high cholesterol foods:

• All foods with even moderate levels of saturated fats;


• All foods with any level of Trans fats;


• Fat red meats;


• Goose and duck meat as well as turkey and chicken;
  
• All organs from animals;


• Dairy products that have not had the fats removed from them;


• Shellfish;

Also be sure to avoid excessive alcohol consumption and high-sodium food sources. Paying strict attention to your diet for lowering cholesterol will add fun-filled and healthy years to your life.

Exercise some every day:

Exercise is a vital component for healthy living. Exercise stimulates your metabolism and helps you to lower cholesterol naturally. Blood, along with the oxygen and nutrients that it carries, is delivered more efficiently. Your heart, a muscle itself, becomes stronger and better able to perform its never-ending duties. Your perspiration increases and helps you to flush out toxic buildups inside of you. Your probability for development of every disease is lessened significantly. You will look, feel, think and act better with daily exercise.

Manage your stress levels:

Untamed stressors contribute significantly to the development of every disease in existence. You can manage your stress effectively with attention given to your well-being. Study the pleasing techniques of meditation. Learn Yoga. Take some classes in Pilates. Pray. There are various ways to increase the calm in your life and capacitate yourself to thrive for many years to come.

Learning how to lower cholesterol is as simple as intending to love yourself by eating wholesome foods, exercising every day and managing your stress levels. It should go without saying that smoking is also disallowed. Take control of your health beginning today and experience the liberation that rapidly comes with your new holistically-healthy lifestyle. Enjoy!

About the Author:

Steven R Arnold is editor of http://fatsense.com



The Healthy Heart Series of Essential Knowledge Guides is a new audio book series that will show you how to naturally lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose numbers safely and easily.



You'll find the Healthy Heart Series of Essential Knowledge Guides only at http://fatsense.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How to Lower Cholesterol: Lower Cholesterol Naturally With Holistic Lifestyle Modifications

LDL Cholesterol Foods

High Cholesterol Foods To Avoid

Author: Andrew Bicknell

For those who suffer from high cholesterol the best and first way to control and lower their cholesterol levels is through their diet. But many people are confused as to what constitutes a high cholesterol food they need to avoid and a low cholesterol food. This is because there is a difference between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol.

Generally most health guidelines recommend that dietary cholesterol not exceed 300 mg per day for most healthy people, but if one suffers from high LDL blood cholesterol levels then this intake should be not more than 200 mg per day.

Cholesterol, a waxy like substance, is only found in animal meat and tissues and its sources include red meat, eggs, fish, poultry, and dairy products. On the flip side any food derived from plant sources is cholesterol free, including high fat plants food sources such as avocado\'s and peanut butter. This is where the confusion usually happens because eating large amounts of vegetable oil, which is virtually 100% food fat, can significantly raise blood cholesterol levels, particularly when eaten with high cholesterol foods.

The fact is that blood LDL cholesterol levels are highly influenced by the amount of saturated fat that one eats. There is a relationship between the amounts of saturated fat one eats the LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. For every one percent increase in calories obtained by eating saturated fat, blood cholesterol levels go up around two percent. Conversely for every one percent decrease in saturated fat intake cholesterol levels will reduce about two percent.

The thing to remember when it comes avoiding high cholesterol foods is that while doing so will decrease LDL cholesterol levels, reducing saturated fat intake has a bigger impact on these levels then many people are aware of. This does not mean that those who suffer from high cholesterol can eat high cholesterol foods, but they should be aware that there is more to reducing cholesterol then just this one thing.

The reason for this confusion with the way cholesterol can increase in the blood stream is the way many foods are cooked and/or served. Let\'s look at one of everyone\'s favorite breakfasts; bacon/sausage and eggs. We all know that eggs are high in cholesterol, but what we don\'t know is that the cholesterol in eggs has a small impact on blood cholesterol levels. It\'s the high amount of saturated fat in the bacon or sausage that has a far larger impact on LDL cholesterol levels.

Another culprit is deep fat fried foods. Many foods are for the most part harmless until they are breaded and fried in hot oil. In fact, many fish and seafood choices are considered to be good for us because of the omega-3 fatty acids that they contain, but as soon as they are deep fried and eaten any benefits are cancelled by the saturated fat that raises bad LDL cholesterol.

When it comes to high cholesterol foods to avoid it is important to remember that these types of food aren\'t necessarily bad in and of themselves if eaten in moderation. The real problem occurs when they are combined with high levels of saturated fat, which has a more profound effect on blood cholesterol levels.

About the Author:

To learn more about Low Cholesterol Food please visit the website Lowering Cholesterol by clicking here.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - High Cholesterol Foods To Avoid

HDL Cholesterol Foods

Discover How to Raise Hdl Cholesterol Levels?

Author: Bretislav Slansky

There are many ways to increase HDL cholesterol levels.


Obviously you can take drugs that increase the HDL levels like niacin. That can increase HDL cholesterol up to 33%.


I do not personally like any of the FDA approved drugs and medication. The reason is, they always have some cholesterol medicine side effects that will harm your body.


For example: Pfizer's Torcetrapib that was supposed to raise HDL cholesterol levels was taken of the market. You know why? Simple. Many people had big cholesterol drug side effects.


Fortunately there are more natural ways to raise HDL cholesterol levels.

The most effective and safest way is to change eating habits and lifestyle.

Easier said that done, right?

In that case I am going to ask you a question. "How much is your health and well-being important to you?"


If you are like me, I always find ways for improvement. I guess I love myself very much - and you should love yourself also.


Lifestyle Changes To Raise Your HDL Cholesterol Levels


Quit Smoking: I know you have heard it so many times. I know how you feel if you smoke. The fact is that smoking will clot your blood. That will of course slower blood flow to your brain and body. In this environment, un-used cholesterol will have better change to stick to your arterial walls and...cardiovascular disease is on its way. You should either ask your doctor about quitting smoking or research different methods. Later decide which one will work for you.


Exercise Regularly:Many studies have shown that regular exercise increased HDL - Good Cholesterol up to 9%. Hey you do not need to start breaking world records. Starts 20-30 minutes a day. Simple walking will do fine. Later you can start lifting weights, do some cardio and relaxation methods like Tai Chi or Yoga.


Get On Healthy Weight Management:If you are overweight or if you just want to eat healthy, there are countless methods of eating healthy. Many diet lower your LDL "Bad Cholesterol" and many will raise HDL Cholesterol. Here you can find foods that lower LDL cholesterol and also I am going to show you foods that are high in cholesterol - the bad foods.


Understand The Food Label And Which Fat Is Good And Which Fat Is Bad: Many our foods we buy actually contain bad fats like margarines, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Basically you do not need saturated fats. Choose monounsaturated fats like olives. Eat fish oil which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, nuts or oat bran.



Start Good Nutritional Supplementation Program: There are many natural supplements that will help you to manage cholesterol and other health related needs. Most well known natural supplements are garlic, omega-3 fish oils, niacin and fiber supplements.



A warning note: The statements on this web site have not been evaluated by the Food And Drug Administration. The information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.


Click here for more cholesterol lowering information and advice. And start changing your lifestyle today.


About the Author:

Brett Slansky has more than 17 years of experience in health and fitness industry. Visit his website for additional information and possible questions at http://www.lowering-cholesterol-info.com/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Discover How to Raise Hdl Cholesterol Levels?

Non Cholesterol Foods

Low Cholesterol Foods: Reducing Cholesterol Levels Naturally by Eating the Proper Foods

Author: Steven R Arnold

Always choosing low cholesterol foods is the most direct and natural way to ensure that your cholesterol levels remain in the acceptable range to promote longevity and vitality. Hypercholesterolemia is an enemy of your body from head to toe.

There are very few if any symptoms until it has advanced to a problematic state. You need to intervene before you have to. Your diet for lowering cholesterol can be your saving grace from developing atherosclerosis and the major health issues that can arise from it.

High cholesterol foods are killing people all across the planet everyday in record high numbers. Many societies that were traditionally plant-eaters have adopted the American way of eating and are now suffering, as we are, from the long-term effects of food choices that are high in saturated fats, Trans fats and LDL cholesterol. Here are the foods that you need to avoid with great intent:

• Foods high in saturated fats;


• Foods with any Trans fats;


• Fatty red meats;


• Pork, duck and goose meats;


• Animal organs;


• Shellfish;


• Poultry including turkey and chicken;


• All dairy products unless they are low-fat or non-fat varieties;


• High sodium foods;


• Excessive alcohol consumption;

Low cholesterol foods are the foods that nature has intended for us. Through erroneous thought and misinformation, we have become the most artery-clogged and obese nation on the planet. We are also influencing the rest of the planet to eat and act like us – which is killing them as well. The bottom line is that we all should be eating foods like:

• Any plant including all vegetables, fruits and legumes;


• Whole-grain pastas and breads;


• Wild rice;


• Any plant sprouts;


• Any whole food that requires no label;


• Salmon and other fish that are rich in super-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids;


• Water, water and more water;

How to lower cholesterol naturally is all about what you eat, how much you get up and move, how you deal with the issues that stress you - and how much you assist your body to keep itself clean on the inside by flushing with water and intending to breathe deeply. Reducing cholesterol is a wonderful way to enhance the health of your entire family – and who doesn’t want that above all else?

Choosing low cholesterol foods in conjunction with daily exercise for at least 20 minutes will very rapidly change all areas of your life. You will almost instantly begin to feel, and see, the differences in your body. Your thoughts will be clearer and quicker. Your skin will be smoother. Your muscles will become stronger. Your fat storages will melt away. Your spark for living will blossom. Your stressors will seem minimized. Everything in life will take on new, vibrant meaning as soon as you commit to a healthy lifestyle based on low cholesterol foods and daily exercise. Enjoy – and congratulations!

About the Author:

Steven R Arnold is editor of http://fatsense.com



The Healthy Heart Series of Essential Knowledge Guides is a new audio book series that will show you how to naturally lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose numbers safely and easily.



You'll find the Healthy Heart Series of Essential Knowledge Guides only at http://fatsense.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Low Cholesterol Foods: Reducing Cholesterol Levels Naturally by Eating the Proper Foods

What is Bad Cholesterol????

Understanding What is Bad Cholesterol

Author: Jan Richards

Cholesterol is a very familiar medical term almost to anyone, particularly the middle age group. It is a common thing the word will never be a part of teen-age lingo. The main reason is, most of the dreaded ailments accompanying "high cholesterol" levels are associated with hypertension, heart failure, diabetes and other long term and acquired conditions, which does not could also happen to younger generation as juvenile complications. To make it clear, when the majority is talking about lowering cholesterol, it is all about alleviating the further progress of bad cholesterol.

There are two kinds of cholesterol accumulating or present in the human body. Bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein is harmful because it can cause atheroma. Atheroma is considered to be the plaque of the arteries, commonly referred to as fat streaks. If not watched carefully, accumulation of 'macrophage white blood cells' can happen to a child even before the age of 10.

The early symptoms may start as early as 5 years old, while the child grows up and the condition is accumulating quietly in the veins. Most of the time, the exact symptoms are only given prognosis after the onset of heart attack or stroke, which is already too late for the patient. The attack of silent killers may not cause death but chances are it can lead to lifetime disability.

It is debilitating to imagine how high levels of bad cholesterol can cause serious consequences to the body. When most people may appear healthy all the time, cholesterols can only be checked through lab tests. Sometimes it surprises people to find out how high their cholesterol build-up has soared for the past years.

There is no mystery behind the strengthening of bad cholesterol other than high consumption of saturated fats in the diet. In the advent of labels or guides in processed foods like canned goods and other packed products in the groceries, it is easy to see the amount of cholesterol a food has. This is just a small matter on how to grasp the essence of being cholesterol conscious.

The major way to lower down cholesterol levels in the body is to understand how it metabolizes in the body. Cholesterol doe not actually come from diet alone. It is a whole process within where diet is just one of the contributing factor. Good cholesterol aids in the body's biochemical functioning like producing bile, regulating of vitamins that are fat soluble such as A, K, D, and E.

It also has impact on the synthesis of the body hormone. After cholesterol has been utilized in the body, it excretes as excess lipids in the liver and gall bladder as crystal particles. Because cholesterol is not water soluble, it circulates over and over and gets converted to bad cholesterol (low density lipoproteins). For normal individuals with healthy metabolism, bad cholesterol is minimal and comes in as large quantities. The harmful ones are those that come in many number of small sizes trapped in the veins as accumulated clogs.

When it comes to lowering high cholesterol, basically there is nothing to ponder about genetic weaknesses, the key is watching over food intake. Cholesterol is highly present in animal meats and fats, especially pork and beef. It is easy to watch fatty foods with all the precautions available today. But it takes discipline to live a life with less cholesterol consumption.

About the Author:

For tips on cholesterol ratio and low cholesterol foods, visit the Cholesterol Guidelines website.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Understanding What is Bad Cholesterol

Bad Cholesterol

The Truth About Bad Cholesterol

Author: Gloria Gangi

Did you know that your body actually needs cholesterol. You wouldn't think it with all the bad press that it actually gets. The truth is that there are two types of cholesterol in your body, good cholesterol also known as HDL cholesterol, and bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. Cholesterol in your body is necessary to make hormones, vitamin D and bile salts.


The bad cholesterol is the one you need to watch out for as it can cause you lots of problems. LDL cholesterol dumps cholesterol onto the walls of your arteries that will create a plaque. This plaque builds up narrowing and blocking your arteries, this causes a reduction in blood flow which is bad news for the heart.


What Raises Cholesterol?


Do you find that there are many confusing terms being thrown around when it comes to cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol is one of those terms. You might think that all dietary cholesterol is bad, but in fact dietary cholesterol does not raise blood cholesterol as much as you might think. The two culprits are the trans fatty acids and saturated fats.


So what do you need to do to reduce your levels of bad cholesterol? The most effective way is to change your diet. You will need to cut down in foods which contains the bad cholesterol such as meat, dairy, eggs and seafood and look at the foods that can reduce your LDL levels


You don't need to cut out all the nice food in your diet but you need to make modifications. Trans fatty acids are found in a lot of packaged food. Microwave popcorn, hard stick margarine and some French fries from certain fast food chains are all culprits. By removing these foods and finding better substitutes you can reduce the consumption of trans fatty acids that will all contribute to the level of bad cholesterol in your system.


Upping Good Fats


By increasing the amount of good cholesterol in your body you can reduce the bad cholesterol. This is because the presence of good cholesterol in your body means that excess cholesterol will be taken back to the liver to be excreted out of your body. This means you want plenty of good cholesterol as high levels of good cholesterol means a reduced risk of heart disease.


Remember though that you need to make changes in your lifestyle, these changes are eating more food which are rich in soluble fiber and monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats they will help to increase good cholesterol levels. Restrict alcohol consumption to one glass a day for women and two a day for men is also a good idea. By increasing the amount of exercise in your daily life can also decrease cholesterol levels.

About the Author:

For more articles on how to manager your cholesterol please visit: http://www.yourcholesteroldiet.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Truth About Bad Cholesterol

High Cholesterol Foods

High Cholesterol Foods – Healthy, not Harmful

Author: Paul Rodgers

High cholesterol foods are usually foods high in saturated fats. High cholesterol foods are the more delicious foods. High cholesterol foods are mainly found in all animals and animal products, for example, egg yolks, meat, poultry, fish and higher fat milk products. High cholesterol foods are a major contributor to having high blood pressure. High cholesterol foods are bad for us, and God knew it.


Your body produces three to four times more cholesterol than you eat. The production of cholesterol increases when you eat little cholesterol and decreases when you eat much. In other words, the more high cholesterol foods you eat, the less cholesterol your body produces. It is true that the body – more specifically the liver – can produce cholesterol for the body's needs. But taking cholesterol from high cholesterol foods can be helpful. When you do not take enough high cholesterol foods – for example, if you take mainly vegetable oils rather than animal fat containing cholesterol – the cholesterol in your blood will the transferred to your cells.


In traditional societies, high cholesterol foods were regarded as healthy foods. Our ancestors did not know about cholesterol but they knew that eggs, organ meat (including the brain), seafood, shellfish… were all highly nourishing for the body. Cholesterol is not a deadly poison, but a substance vital to the cells of all mammals. Cholesterol in its proper place is good, but it also has a dark side. Thus, the highest concentration of cholesterol in the body is found in the brain and other parts of the nervous system. And because cholesterol is needed for the brain, babies and children need high cholesterol foods for brain development. One of the richest high cholesterol foods is, in fact, human breast milk. And one of the worst foods to give to babies is soy infant formula, because it contains zero cholesterol.


People with very low cholesterol (below 150 mg/dl) are more prone to depression and nervous system disorders. Many scientific studies have found an association between cholesterol and heart disease. But this does not meant that high cholesterol foods cause heart disease – because there are people who eat plenty of high cholesterol foods and do not develop heart disease. And there are also people who develop heart disease even though they avoid high cholesterol foods. It is also important to understand that eating high cholesterol foods will not automatically lead to high cholesterol levels in the blood.


Among the many research findings published in scientific journals, Uffe Ravnskov discovered that: lowering cholesterol did not result in lower death rates from heart disease, but in HIGHER death rates from all causes. More significantly, Uffe Ravnskov has published over 80 scientific papers and letters in peer-reviewed journals criticizing what is commonly called the Lipid Hypothesis of heart disease – the belief that dietary saturated fats and cholesterol clog arteries and cause atherosclerosis and heart disease. Click here to read more about Uffe Ravnskov and the benefits of high cholesterol foods. Foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fat (such as coconut oil) can also raise your level of LDL (bad) cholesterol, so, in a way, they have a similar effect on your body as eating high cholesterol foods. But it does not stop there, because there are a number of other foods that may not be considered "high cholesterol foods" but that still raise your LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) more than high cholesterol foods do. If a food does not come from an animal (such as a fruit or vegetable), then it does not have cholesterol.

To appreciate why high cholesterol foods are not harmful, we need to understand what cholesterol is, and what role it plays in human health. Typically, high cholesterol foods are also high in saturated fats, which is part of what makes them taste good. High cholesterol foods should not be entirely avoided, as many of them are an essential part of a healthy diet, as noted above, but you should learn to reduce their intake in order to maintain or lower your LDL cholesterol levels. High cholesterol foods are animal products such as eggs, fatty meats, and any poultry with the skin on would be high in cholesterol.


About the Author:

Paul Rodgers specializes in marketing natural health and beauty products. Find out more about High Cholesterol Foods – Healthy, not Harmful

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - High Cholesterol Foods – Healthy, not Harmful

High Cholesterol Foods

Cholesterol High Foods and Heart Disease

Author: Andrew Bicknell

If there is one word that is associated with potentially life threatening health issues it is cholesterol. There are numerous TV and print advertisements espousing the benefits of the latest cholesterol reducing drug and for good reasons. High levels of this naturally occurring substance are associated with increased risks of heart disease and stroke. Knowing this has caused many people to avoid cholesterol high foods in their attempt to mitigate the harmful effects it can cause.

But just what is cholesterol and where does it come from?

Cholesterol, unbeknownst to many, is actually produced by the body, mostly in the liver, and is necessary for proper bodily functioning. In fact roughly 80% is made by the body with the other 20% coming from dietary sources. Or at least that’s the way it used to be. With our more "fast food" dietary lifestyle cholesterol has become a major health care issue.

Without cholesterol our bodies would be unable to function properly. It is primarily used to make cell membranes and makes them stable and durable. It is particularly important in the formation of nerve tissue, brain cells, and the spinal cord. It is also used to make bile which is an important part of the digestive process in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. And certain hormones would not be able to be made without it.

Unfortunately our modern diet has given us to much of a good thing. While high cholesterol foods such as meat, eggs, and whole fat dairy products should be eaten in moderation it is the preponderance of foods high in saturated fats and Transfats that are the bigger culprits. Fried foods, snack foods, processed foods in a box, and just about anything containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils all fall into this category.

In fact scientific studies have shown that foods high in these types of fat have a greater impact in blood cholesterol levels then eating just foods that are high in cholesterol. This does not mean that eating a diet of high cholesterol foods is a good idea but it is more important that you avoid the saturated fat and Transfats that are so common in our diet these days.

As cholesterol levels build up in the blood stream they get to the point where the body cannot use all of it. When this happens it will start to deposit along the arterial walls creating plaques and causing atherosclerosis, which is a hardening and narrowing of the arteries. These plaques can cause blockages in blood flow which can lead to a heart attack or they can break free as a clot and get lodged in the smaller vessels of the brain causing a stroke.

Maintaining normal cholesterol levels through a healthy diet and lifestyle that includes exercise is the best way to prevent these risks. Just remember that cholesterol is a necessary substance we all need but it is important to eat cholesterol high foods in moderation and avoid those foods that are in high saturated fats and Transfats to avoid the risk of heart disease.

About the Author:

If high cholesterol is affecting your health and you want to do something about it but aren't sure where to start please visit the website Lowering Cholesterol by Clicking Here.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Cholesterol High Foods and Heart Disease

High Cholesterol Diet Risk

The Skinny On A High Cholesterol Diet

Author: Darlene Nicholson

Understanding the effects of a high cholesterol diet is a bit tricky. The effects of a high cholesterol diet on high blood cholesterol are not completely understood and there are so many variables that the information can be very confusing. Let's look at what cholesterol is, what high cholesterol means, what the effects are of a high cholesterol diet and finally, some super foods that can help you lower your high cholesterol.


To understand a high cholesterol diet, first you need to know more about cholesterol. Only foods that are derived from animal sources (including animal fat or lard) contain cholesterol. Cholesterol is synthesized in the body. It is used in cell membrane structure and also in the synthesis of steroidal hormones and Vitamin D. It does have some use; however, as it travels in blood through arteries attached to lipoproteins such as HDL and LDL, some of it sticks to the walls of the artery creating the condition known as atherosclerosis, a.k.a. clogged arteries. The higher the total blood cholesterol, specifically the LDL, the higher the incidence of cholesterol depositing on artery walls.



High blood cholesterol levels in individuals have been shown to increase cardiovascular disease rates. Total cholesterol in an individual should be less than 200 mg/dL. The total cholesterol is made up of LDL (low-density lipoproteins), HDL (high-density lipoproteins) and triglycerides. LDL, a.k.a. bad cholesterol, should be less than 100 mg/dL. HDL, a.k.a. good cholesterol, should be greater than 40 mg/dL and trigylcerides should be less than 150 mg/dL. If any of your cholesterol levels are outside these numbers, you've likely heard that you should avoid a high cholesterol diet, but why?


A high cholesterol diet is by name alone, high in cholesterol; however, studies are unsure as to whether or not dietary cholesterol is really the root cause of increased blood cholesterol levels. More importantly is the saturated fat intake that often occurs with a high cholesterol diet. High amounts of saturated fat have been shown to increase blood cholesterol levels in individuals. Food high in saturated fats are fatty meats and products produced using oils high in saturated fat such as potato chips, deep fried cuisine, and baked goods to name a few.


To muddy the waters a bit more, science isn't clear on why one person can eat a high cholesterol, high fat diet and not have high cholesterol(they may, however have other health issues), and another person will end up with high cholesterol on the same or even a better diet. The bottom line here is that a large part of high blood cholesterol can be contributed to genetics. Some people with high blood cholesterol respond well to environmental changes like diet and exercise therapy while others need medication to control their high cholesterol.


There are some super foods that scientists are finding out may help reduce blood cholesterol. Some of these super foods can even be used to replace foods in a high cholesterol diet.


Oats in oatmeal and oat bran contain soluble fiber. A daily amount of 5 to 10 grams of soluble fiber has been proven to lower LDL levels around five percent. Overall, the daily recommendation for dietary fiber is 25 grams. The remaining amount of fiber intake for the day beyond soluble fiber is 15-20 grams of insoluble fiber found in whole grains and other roughage such as celery. The best benefits from fiber are seen when both soluble and insoluble fiber are present in the diet.


Fish such as salmon, trout and sardines have high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids which not only lower LDL but raise the good cholesterol, HDL. Fish can easily replace the protein found in a high cholesterol diet.


Some nuts such as almonds, pistachios and pecans contain fiber, phytonutrients and Vitamin E. These nutrients have been shown to be beneficial in reducing cholesterol. Eat them in small quantities, though, because nuts are high in calories. Replace some of the protein in a high cholesterol diet with this super food.


Though the cholesterol in a high cholesterol diet may not be the culprit, the saturated fat almost always accompanies the cholesterol. So, ultimately, for optimum health, a high cholesterol diet should be avoided.

About the Author:
From a sickly little girl to a healthy chef to the stars, Darlene Nicholson transformed herself into The "Kick in the Butt" Healthy Lifestyle Expert and creator of the popular DVD "The Healthy Grocery Store Tour". Grab a copy of her free ebook "4 Steps to Permanent Weight Loss"...guaranteed to open your eyes to how easy weight loss can be with the right plan of attack. http://free-weightloss-book.com/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Skinny On A High Cholesterol Diet

Cholesterol Foods List

Finding a List of Low Cholesterol Foods

Author: Andrew Bicknell

A high blood cholesterol level is something that needs to be taken very seriously because it is one of the main risk factors for increased chances of arteriosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke. One of the best ways to deal with this medical condition is through diet and for most people that means finding a list of low cholesterol foods.

Fortunately it is relatively easy to separate food types into those that contain cholesterol and those that don't. Any food that comes from an animal source contains cholesterol because it is a primarily used to create and maintain cell wall membranes along with hormone production.

Food from plant sources or derived from plant sources are for the most part cholesterol free and eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts can help significantly lower blood cholesterol levels. There is a big but that goes along with this because food preparation can significantly change whether or not that healthy food suddenly becomes a ticking cholesterol time bomb.

Recent studies into the effects of diet on cholesterol have found that it isn't always the amount of cholesterol in a particular food that is dangerous. In fact many cholesterol containing foods don't significantly raise blood cholesterol levels when eaten as is. What these studies have found is that saturated fat and Transfats are much more dangerous to cholesterol levels. When combined with high cholesterol foods in the preparation of meals these two fats can lead to dangerously high blood cholesterol levels.

This does not mean that eating high cholesterol foods is a good idea but by being aware of how to prepare your meals you can see significant reductions in your cholesterol levels. Here are some tips on how to best manage cholesterol levels through diet.

1. Avoid and eliminate foods high in saturated and Trans fats as well as avoid preparing meals with these types of fats. This is why fried foods are dangerous to anyone with high cholesterol levels.

2. Eat only lean cuts of meat in moderation. Grill or broil them to allow the fat to run off before eating.

3. The best source of protein in a low cholesterol diet can be gotten from chicken and seafood.

4. Eat fiber rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads and cereals. Fiber has been shown to help remove cholesterol from the body and is an important part of the digestive process.

5. Dairy products can be eaten if you choose low fat or skim products that have had the saturated fats removed or significantly reduced.

6. Increase your intake of foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. Much seafood such as salmon is rich in this vital nutrient or you can take it in supplement form.

As you can see managing this problem is much more then just finding a list of low cholesterol foods. While eating only these types of foods can decrease your risks you can do much more by understanding how certain foods and their preparation can affect cholesterol levels. The key to this is avoiding and eliminating saturated fats and Trans fats from your diet and eating those foods containing cholesterol in moderation.

About the Author:

To learn more about Low Cholesterol Food please visit the website Lowering Cholesterol by clicking here.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Finding a List of Low Cholesterol Foods

Cholesterol Busting Foods

Achieve Low Cholesterol With The Basic Tips

Author: Ray La Foy

To get your cholesterol to the right level, you need to follow a few basic rules. It takes a bit of effort to remember initially but soon becomes part of your daily routine. You must be aware that cutting down on cholesterol-rich foods does not mean cutting down on food. Once you approach this diet as just a changed one rather than a starvation diet, you can set about making it work for you.


The first step is to shop right. That means paying close attention to the labels. This could take a bit of time in the beginning, when you have to look at quite a few before you decide to buy or reject. You soon get the hang if it however and begin to automatically steer your way towards the food that is good for you.


The labels on all food packs tell you the nutritional value of the contents. You'll see how much of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals it contains. Steer clear of animal fat in foodstuffs, as well as trans fats. When you limit the consumption of saturated fats, your cholesterol levels start going down. Keep in mind that the body, too produces cholesterol so you need to offset that by cutting down a lot when you start your diet. As far as taste goes, trans fats make for better texture, consistency and taste in a lot of foods. You just need to find substitutes that appeal to you just as much which don't contain these harmful fats.


How about sugar? Start by substituting it in a few items of food, then go on to more and more as you get used to it. Honey is a natural sweetener as is unrefined sugar. Food with corn syrup is avoidable as it is high in carbohydrates. While you're at it, cut down on the salt as well, as it increases the blood pressure and together with high cholesterol, could lead to serious health risks. Processed foods like meats contain a lot of it.


Try to put "good fats" into your diet, like olive oil and avocados. Also include fruits, vegetables and fiber to aid digestion. What you need in your daily diet is a balance. Never eat till you are stuffed. Always get up from the table when you're full but feel you can eat just a little more. If you find every meal leaves you feeling too full, eat many small meals a day, punctuating your regular food with fruit breaks, soups or salads. Some people substitute butter with spreads made from sitostanol, a plant-based derivative that is supposed to curb the absorption of fat.


It all boils down to an issue of balance. Your body produces cholesterol. You've got high cholesterol. So you need to take in less than you are doing right now and maybe take in a few cholesterol-busting foods as well to keep the balance. Once you've managed a regimen that brings the cholesterol equilibrium back into your life, make sure you keep at it to make it stay that way.

About the Author:

More information on a low cholesterol diet
low cholesterol diet
http://www.lowcholesterolnow.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Achieve Low Cholesterol With The Basic Tips

Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol Treatment - Simple and Useful Home Remedies for Cholesterol

Author: Dr James Sameul

Cholesterol is the fat-like substance, which is an important ingredient for life. The human body contains about 100 g of cholesterol. The human body itself manufactures its required cholesterol, and any cholesterol that comes from diet is extra -- and it's harmful.

Benefits of body cholesterol -

Most of the cholesterol in the body is included in the membranes from which cells formation takes place. It is also the starting ingredient for the synthesis of the steroid hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol and mineralocorticoids.

Cholesterol is also the originator from which the body synthesizes Vitamin D.


Cholesterol helps in the synthesis of bile acids in the liver. This is required for the absorption of fat from the contents of the intestine. The liver synthesizes about 1500 - 2000 mg of new cholesterol each day, from the products of fat metabolism.


What is high blood cholesterol? Is it risky?


High blood cholesterol termed as hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and some types of stroke. Too much cholesterol in the blood leads to development of fatty deposits in the blood vessels that supply the heart and other parts of the body. These deposits make it difficult for enough blood to flow through the arteries, and the heart may not get as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, which increases the chances of a heart attack (atherosclerosis). Decreased blood flow to the brain can also cause a cerebral stroke.


Healthy levels of cholesterol -

A person's total blood cholesterol will fall into any one of these categories:

1) Desirable -- Less than 200 mg/dL


2) Borderline high risk -- 200-239 mg/dL


3) High risk -- 240 mg/dL and over - risk of developing coronary heart disease.


What is HDL and LDL?

Cholesterol is transported through the blood attached to proteins, known as lipoprotein. The two main types of lipoproteins are:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - "bad" cholesterol that builds up in the walls of the arteries, making them hard and narrow.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - "good" cholesterol that picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to the liver.


Total cholesterol is the sum of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and 20% of the triglyceride value.


It is important to be aware of the fact that -


1. high LDL values are bad - higher the chance of getting a heart disease


2 high HDL values are good - lower the chance of getting a heart disease.


Thus, cardiac risk ratio for an individual = total cholesterol divided by HDL cholesterol


A cardiac risk ratio greater than 7 is a danger sign.


What factors cause a high LDL and low HDL level in the body?


1) Unhealthy lifestyle habits of an individual such as lack of physical activity, being overweight.


2) Faulty eating habits. High intake of saturated fats, animal protein, butter, cheese, fried foods all lead to high cholesterol.


3) Other factors that play a role in high cholesterol include genetic composition which restricts cells from removing LDL cholesterol from the blood efficiently or cause the liver to produce too much cholesterol. This is regardless of a person's saturated fat and cholesterol dietary intake.


4) Smoking, alcoholism, tobacco - as it damages the walls of the blood vessels, making them prone to accumulate fatty deposits.


5) High blood pressure as increased pressure on the artery walls damages arteries, leading to speedy accumulation of fatty deposits.


6) Diabetes contributes to high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol. High blood sugar also damages the lining of the arteries.


Cholesterol Treatment and prevention -


1) Lifestyle changes help improve the cholesterol level. Eat a healthy diet, do regular physical activity and avoid smoking/drinking.


2) Lose excess weight. Plan a daily exercise regime such as swimming, walks, or any other sport.

3) Eat heart friendly foods


4) Choose healthier fats such as monounsaturated fats. Almonds, olive, peanut and walnuts are good sources of healthy fat.


5) Limit cholesterol intake - no more than 300 mg of cholesterol per day -- or less than 200 mg if you have heart disease.


6) Eat whole grains, whole wheat flour.


7) Consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, as they are rich in dietary fibre, which help lower cholesterol. Consume less of animal protein, and more of fish which is rich in omega - 3 fatty acids


7) Quit smoking and drinking



In spite of the above, if LDL remains high, the doctor may prescribe some medication or combination of medication depending on various factors, such as age, current health, risk factors, and possible side effects.


Home Remedies for Cholesterol:

* Coriander seeds are beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol. In 1 glass of water, add 2 tablespoons of coriander seeds and boil. Drink this mixture two times in a day. This is a good Home Remedy for Cholesterol


* Onion juice reduces cholesterol and works as a tonic for nervous system. It cleans blood, and regulates the heart action & helps in lowering cholesterol.


* Sunflower seeds contain a substantial amount of linoelic acid, which is helpful in reducing cholesterol deposits on the walls of the arteries. This is also useful Home Remedy for Cholesterol


* Substituting oil of sunflower seeds for some of the solid fats like butter & cream will lower cholesterol.


* Ginger reduces cholesterol, and thins the blood and thus improves the circulation. This remedy is very effective Home Remedy for Cholesterol

* Take 2-3 cloves of garlic daily to reduce high cholesterol levels.


* Turmeric helps by lowering serum cholesterol and by preventing the formation of the internal blood clots.



* Mix a teaspoon of powdered fenugreek seeds in a glass of water and take in the morning on an empty stomach for a month. This is an effective and useful Home Remedy for Cholesterol



* Prepare a mixture in a glass of water with 1-2 grams of powdered cinnamon. Strain this mixture & add a spoon of honey to it. Drink this solution once a day for 15-25 days. This helps control cholesterol.

About the Author:

Author is an Ayurvedic doctor having years of experience in the field of Ayurveda and Alternative medicine. Find out more Home Remedies for Cholesterol at
">http://www.natural-homeremedies.org/

He has an exclusive website on Home Remedies for various diseases. You can also contribute to the Home remedies by visiting the website

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Cholesterol Treatment - Simple and Useful Home Remedies for Cholesterol

Tips to Lower Bad Cholesterol

Food Tips To Lower Bad Cholesterol

Author: Ashish Jain

LDL or bad cholesterol in excess amount can lead to worst consequences. With excess of LDL in blood you are very much susceptible to coronary artery diseases. This low density lipoproteion when gets deposited in blood in surplus amount starts forming plaque that can either block the arteries or can result in narrowed arteries. And best way to keep level of LDL in control is to opt for LDL free diet or food that lowers LDL content.



LDL cholesterol could be kept well under control if you happen to consume LDL free foods. For a normal people desired level of LDL cholesterol should be not more than one thirty or one forty mg per dL. For that you should chalk out a dietary strategy in consultation with your health care provider that would usually be based on consumption of foods that are either free of LDL or bring reduction in LDL content.



Unsaturated fat products if consumed in plenty won't add too much to cholesterol and LDL content would automatically get reduced. Instead of whole milk you can go for skimmed milk. Similarly you can go for fat free cheese and other fat free milk products. These products would bring considerable reduction in bad cholesterol.



You should substitute foods with high fat content by foods with low food content, it is a very natural way of curbing high level of LDL. For example butter has a perfect substitute in Margarine that is derived from whales.



If you happen to be afflicted with great surge in LDL, you can devour foods rich in Niacin. Niacin is an active LDL reducing agent. You must increase consumption fiber products and green vegetables. With an increased intake of fiber, you are likely to reduce bad cholesterol. You should particularly focus on soluble fibers.



Products that help bring a surge in HDL cholesterol could be consumed as it would have an adverse effect on LDL. Intake of fruits and whole grains could be increased for the same reason. Products rich in vitamin A and E could also contribute to LDL reduction. Fish must be incorporated in your diet as it contains Omega 3 fatty acid that considerably reduces Low density Lipoprotein.



Barley, cereals, oats and lot of complex carbohydrates could be added to your diet. You should also consume lipid free oils such as Canola and Olive oil.



If you could stick to these food items, you are sure to lower LDL.

About the Author:
The author writes about a number of different topics. For more information on cholesterol visit http://www.urcholesterol.com/ and also visit the article pages: http://www.urcholesterol.com/reduce-cholesterol/ and http://www.urcholesterol.com/cholestrol-and-diet/

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/food-tips-to-lower-bad-cholesterol-85960.html

Cholesterol and Peanut Butter

Low Cholesterol Foods, Revealing Great News About Good Old Peanut Butter And Trans Fats

Author: Wycliffe Williams

Low cholesterol foods are still in abundance. The recent ban in New York City restaurants has awakened many people to the dangers of trans fats. Unfortunately, it has also caused a great deal of confusion.



According to the National Peanut Board, trans fat levels in both commercially prepared and natural peanut butters are undetectable. Put another way, research indicates that you can eat 156 peanut butter sandwiches without consuming even 0.5 grams of trans fat.



Neither peanut butter, peanuts or peanut oil are an issue for restaurants in New York. Chuck Hunt, vice president of the New York City Chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association has said that peanut butter alternatives are good alternatives.



Confusion exists over peanut butter because conventional science says that products made with a partially hydrogenated oil stabilizer, will contain trace amounts of trans fat. A recent study has shown that peanut butter is one of the low cholesterol foods that are made with very little hydrogenated oil. Resulting in no detectable amounts of trans fat in the finished product.



These same studies indicate that all hydrogenated oil is not the same. You cannot generalize about all products that contain hydrogenated oil. Peanut butter provides a variety of healthful benefits for children and adults. It is one of the few foods that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Peanut butter also adds nutritional value when included as part of a balanced diet.



Peanuts and peanut butter contain more than 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients, including vitamin E. A two tablespoon serving of peanut butter contains 12.2 grams of unsaturated and poly unsaturated fat and 3.3 grams of saturated fat. Moreover, low cholesterol foods like peanut butter, can brag that it contains zero cholesterol. Besides all of that information, it is fun to eat and tastes delicious as well.



We all realize that trans fats are very dangerous. According to the American Heart Association, trans fats cause a lowering of good cholesterol and an increase in bad cholesterol.



This action on your system increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. In 2006 the FDA began requiring food companies to list trans fat content separately on the Nutrition facts panel of all packaged foods.



Certain food activists are challenging the FDA policy that says that if the serving contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat, it can be expressed as zero on the package. Their argument centers around the fact that a person who consumes multiple servings throughout the day of products labeled as having 0 trans fats could in fact, surpass recommended levels.



Trans fat zero foods tend to add up. Experts say manufacturers should have to list even traces of the substance. For peanut butter though, manufacturers are trying to increase consumer demand by promoting the great taste, nutrition, and culinary versatility of peanuts.

About the Author:

Low cholesterol foods can be safely included in your daily balanced diet. Would you like to learn about other great foods that help lower your cholesterol? Follow this link to learn so much more: low cholesterol foods

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/low-cholesterol-foods-revealing-great-news-about-good-old-peanut-butter-and-trans-fats-98348.html

Bad Cholesterol

Foods to Reduce Bad Cholesterol

Author: Andrew Bicknell

If you have high cholesterol you have little choice but to try and lower it. Choosing not to do so drastically increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke; three medical conditions that can have a major impact on the long term outlook of your life. Fortunately getting your levels under control can be as easy as making dietary changes and eating foods to reduce bad cholesterol.

Diet is always a good place to start with just about any ailment or condition, but when it comes to lowering cholesterol the food you eat can have a large impact on how successful your attempt will be. In the end it comes down to eating healthy by following these eight steps.

1. Seafood and Omega-3s – Omega-3 fatty acids are sorely missing in our modern diet and have been shown to help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels while raising "good" HDL cholesterol levels. Omega-3s are found primarily in seafood with salmon being one of the best sources. You can also find it in flax seed and in supplement form.

2. Cut the Desert – If you just can't go without eat them in moderation and choose healthier alternatives. Graham crackers, fat free frozen yogurt, and angle food cake are good cholesterol reducing choices.

3. Fiber – Is your friend. Foods that are high in fiber such as oatmeal, vegetables, beans, fruits, wheat bread, and high fiber cereals are all good choices.

4. Fruits and Vegetables – In addition to adding fiber to your diet fruits and vegetables contain no cholesterol.

5. Fried and Fast Foods – These should be avoided as much as possible. Because of their high saturated and trans-fat content these foods are nothing more then cholesterol time bombs.

6. Salad Dressing – Everyone knows that a nice salad is a healthy part of any meal. That is until you dump a bunch of high fat salad dressing on it. Read your labels carefully and select those dressings that are low in fat and cholesterol.

7. Grill or Broil your Meat – You should only eat lean cuts of meat and when you prepare them grill them on the barbecue or broil them. Cooking in this manner reduces the amount of fat in the meat and allows you to enjoy delicious meals.

8. What About Lunch – It is possible to have a healthy sandwich. Use whole wheat bread, lean turkey or chicken, and veggies. Stick to low fat cheeses and mayo or use mustard instead for a healthy delicious lunch.

The thing you will notice with these food to reduce bad cholesterol is that you are not forced to eat a bland diet. It may not be quite what you are used to but with a little time and recipe research you will soon find you don't miss all those un-healthy foods in the first place.

About the Author:

To learn more about low Cholesterol food please visit the website Lowering Cholesterol by clicking here

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/foods-to-reduce-bad-cholesterol-628104.html

Cholesterol Busting Foods

Achieve Low Cholesterol With The Basic Tips

Author: Ray La Foy

To get your cholesterol to the right level, you need to follow a few basic rules. It takes a bit of effort to remember initially but soon becomes part of your daily routine. You must be aware that cutting down on cholesterol-rich foods does not mean cutting down on food. Once you approach this diet as just a changed one rather than a starvation diet, you can set about making it work for you.



The first step is to shop right. That means paying close attention to the labels. This could take a bit of time in the beginning, when you have to look at quite a few before you decide to buy or reject. You soon get the hang if it however and begin to automatically steer your way towards the food that is good for you.



The labels on all food packs tell you the nutritional value of the contents. You'll see how much of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals it contains. Steer clear of animal fat in foodstuffs, as well as trans fats. When you limit the consumption of saturated fats, your cholesterol levels start going down. Keep in mind that the body, too produces cholesterol so you need to offset that by cutting down a lot when you start your diet. As far as taste goes, trans fats make for better texture, consistency and taste in a lot of foods. You just need to find substitutes that appeal to you just as much which don't contain these harmful fats.



How about sugar? Start by substituting it in a few items of food, then go on to more and more as you get used to it. Honey is a natural sweetener as is unrefined sugar. Food with corn syrup is avoidable as it is high in carbohydrates. While you're at it, cut down on the salt as well, as it increases the blood pressure and together with high cholesterol, could lead to serious health risks. Processed foods like meats contain a lot of it.



Try to put "good fats" into your diet, like olive oil and avocados. Also include fruits, vegetables and fiber to aid digestion. What you need in your daily diet is a balance. Never eat till you are stuffed. Always get up from the table when you're full but feel you can eat just a little more. If you find every meal leaves you feeling too full, eat many small meals a day, punctuating your regular food with fruit breaks, soups or salads. Some people substitute butter with spreads made from sitostanol, a plant-based derivative that is supposed to curb the absorption of fat.



It all boils down to an issue of balance. Your body produces cholesterol. You've got high cholesterol. So you need to take in less than you are doing right now and maybe take in a few cholesterol-busting foods as well to keep the balance. Once you've managed a regimen that brings the cholesterol equilibrium back into your life, make sure you keep at it to make it stay that way.

About the Author:

More information on a low cholesterol diet
low cholesterol diet
http://www.lowcholesterolnow.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/achieve-low-cholesterol-with-the-basic-tips-87512.html

Cholesterol Free Foods

What Is A Cholesterol Free Diet And Is It Good For Me?

Author: Gloria Gangi

Cholesterol has been a hot topic in the past ten years. People draw conclusions that if you have cholesterol you have a poor diet and have poor health, people also want to get rid of cholesterol without understanding what it is or how it affects your body.



People need to learn that there are in fact two types of cholesterol bad cholesterol (known as low density or LDL) and good cholesterol (known as high density or HDL). People do not realize that cholesterol is an essential substance in the human body but it depends on the levels that you have. If you were to choose a cholesterol free diet it could be very harmful to your wellbeing, HDL cholesterol are really extremely vital to certain bodily functions such as constructing and repairing cell walls. New research shows and even suggests that HDL cholesterol acts as a crude antioxidant.



You do not need to have a cholesterol free diet if there have been signs you or your family have had a history of heart problems or cardiovascular disease. Instead, understand what bad cholesterol you need to avoid and maintain the beneficial cholesterol in your diet. LDL cholesterol can certainly be challenging, as it has been associated with heart attacks as well as strokes, but it doesn't require a lot of effort to methodically eliminate it from your diet. Instead of trying to keeping away from cholesterol overall, steer clear of a cholesterol free diet and as a substitute look for foods that are low in LDL cholesterol and high in HDL cholesterol.



Is A Cholesterol Free Diet The Best Choice?



To find foods which are good for your health is not as hard a task as you may think as long as you know what you are looking for. Foods such as lean meat and fish are both good meat choices, and are also high in protein. Also choose low-fat dairy products and be sure to keep up with your grains, vegetable and fruit intake. A good diet to control or reduce your cholesterol would be around six servings of grains each day, three to five servings of vegetables and two to four servings of fruits.



This diet is not a hard one to follow and if your keep this strategy in place when shopping then you will be avoiding the products which contain the harmful LDL cholesterol. Remember to reduce your fat in take especially fats that have saturated fat as they tend to raise blood cholesterol levels. Avoid eating fried foods as well, choosing grilled, broiled and baked foods as a healthy alternative.



So the question of what is a cholesterol free diet and is it good for me is answered. A cholesterol free diet may not be the right decision if you want to keep your heart and body strong. By simply choosing a balanced diet will help you to weed out the bad cholesterol and keep the good cholesterol.

About the Author:

for more articles on cholesterol and how to reduce and control it please visit: http://www.yourcholesteroldiet.com/

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/what-is-a-cholesterol-free-diet-and-is-it-good-for-me-533773.html

What is Cholesterol

Cholesterol – Good, Bad and to Keep Cholesterol Level Low

Author: Dr John Anne

When you hear the word cholesterol, what is your immediate reaction, or what comes first in your mind? Many people worry when they hear the word cholesterol. They perceive it as something that is always bad for the health. It is always associated with heart problems like hypertension and heart attack. But what cholesterol really is what it does to our body and health.





Cholesterol Defined





Cholesterol is a kind of fat or lipid found in the bloodstream and almost all parts of the body. It is a soft waxy substance in the body’s cells. Cholesterol is very useful because it is a component in forming cell membranes, some hormones. It is also needed for other body functions. Many of this substance is produced naturally inside of our bodies and some are from the food that we eat.





Cholesterol is not really a dangerous substance but it is actually one of those substances that our body needs to keep us healthy. However, it should be understood that there are two kinds of which, the good and bad cholesterol.





The Good and Bad





Since cholesterol is a kind of fat, it can not be directly dissolved in the blood. This substance is carried into and from the cell by another substance called lipoproteins. High-density lipoproteins or HDL is the good ones. This kind protects the body from heart diseases because the cholesterol is carried away from the arteries where fats could build up. It is also believed to remove other cholesterol from the arteries. This kind of cholesterol, however, should be maintained and monitored, because low level of this can also increase the risk of heart problems.





Bad cholesterol is known as the low-density lipoproteins or LDL. This kind highly contributes to the build up of plaque in the inner walls of the arteries. High levels of both compounds in the blood causes major risk of coronary diseases that could lead to heart attack.





Sources of Cholesterol





Though LDL is primarily produced in the body, the cholesterol from our food intake still contributes a lot to the total cholesterol count. Seventy five percent of our body cholesterol is produced inside and the remaining 25 percent comes from food. Almost all food that we take in everyday contains cholesterol and many of these foods contain large amounts.





Topmost of the list of food that contains large amounts of cholesterol is a food familiar to all and could be bought in almost all fast food chains and restaurants. Chicken and egg contains the highest count. These two are followed by livers, sea foods and Thanksgiving Day favorite turkey.





Unknowingly, our body cholesterol is also affected by hereditary means. There are some genes inherited from our parents or even grandparents that cause the cholesterol in our body to be too much produced.





Cholesterol Levels





Everyone should monitor cholesterol count because too much or too low cholesterol in the body bring a lot of sickness. The cholesterol count includes both the good and bad, both those produced inside the body and those that are acquired from food intake.





Cholesterol counts are determined through a blood test. Each person has a unique physicality that is why an individual should consult a doctor to know the cholesterol count that should be maintained. It is recommended especially people ages 20 and older to have lipoprotein fasting and test at least once in every five years. Consult a doctor for necessary medical routine before your cholesterol would be tested. Usually, doctors ask their patients to go on 10 to 12 hour fasting, meaning no food or pills taken. This determines the exact amount of good and bad cholesterol present in your blood and cells.





There are a lot of misconceptions about cholesterol especially with the food in take that make self-diagnosing patients worry about their health. As such, the best option is consultation to experts and living a healthy lifestyle.

About the Author:

Dr John Anne is a herbal specialist with years of experience in the field of Alternative Health Care. For more information visit Natural Cure for Cholesterol at Herbal Supplements. Also visit Cholesterol Treatment to treat High Cholesterol.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/cholesterol-good-bad-and-to-keep-cholesterol-level-low-282971.html