Thursday, May 28, 2009

worst foods for cholesterol

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

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

food high in cholesterol

A Guide to Foods High in Cholesterol

Author: Jb Anthony

Most of what we buy, cook, and eat are foods high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and calories. From processed goods to baked pastries, we may be unaware that we have exceeded our limit of cholesterol intake.

Some food products have been known to be nutritious and good for our health, but there are always setbacks. Did you know that while dairy products like milk and cheese are good sources of calcium, they also have a lot of cholesterol?

- Dairy Products


Dairy products like milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt are foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat, but they are also sources of important nutrients. Fortunately, there are low fat and nonfat dairy products available for people who do not want the extra cholesterol.


You can get cheeses that are fat free, low fat, part skim, or reduced fat. Basically, choose cheese that has 3 grams or less of fat per ounce. If you want soft cheeses, try getting the low fat (one percent) or nonfat cottage cheese, farmer cheese, or light ricotta or part skim. Additionally, watch out for cheese that have too much sodium in them.


Instead of whole or two percent milk, try skim or one percent milk. The latter are just as nutritious and rich in calcium as whole milk, but with less fat and cholesterol.


- Eggs


The whole egg is not high in cholesterol. It is the yolk, which contains around 213 milligrams of dietary cholesterol. If you cannot avoid eating egg yolks, then at least limit your intake to two per week. The limit extends to the yolks in baked and processed goods. Before buying or eating these types of food, check their labels and see how much cholesterol it has or if it uses whole eggs.


You do not have to stop eating eggs, though. Egg whites have no cholesterol in them. You can even use two egg whites to substitute one whole egg.


- Fats and Oils


By their names alone, you can tell that fats and oils pack cholesterol and calories. But that does not mean that they are completely bad for your health. With substitutes and a limit to the total fats and oil intake, you can continue to enjoy your meals.


There are vegetable oils you can use instead of those full of unsaturated fats. Choose canola, sunflower, corn, soybean, olive, sesame, peanut, and safflower oils instead. For margarine, go for the soft tub or the liquid kind. Salad dressings and mayonnaise also come in light or nonfat kinds.


Minimize using butter, fatback, lard, and solid shortenings because these are high in fat and cholesterol.


Even though most of what we eat are foods high in cholesterol, it does not necessarily mean that we have to drastically change our diet. We can continue to enjoy our meals but we do have to be careful and vigilant of what we take in. The labels on the containers of the food you buy are there for a reason. Check them and see if you are going to be eating too much calories, fat, or cholesterol. You do not have to avoid them, but you can eat them in moderation.

About the Author:

Avoid foods high in cholesterol. Start your diet to lower cholesterol now!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - A Guide to Foods High in Cholesterol

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

cholesterol free foods and

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: ArticlesBase.com - What Is A Cholesterol Free Diet And Is It Good For Me?

Monday, May 18, 2009

high cholesterol diet foods

Changing Your High Cholesterol Diet Menu

Author: Gloria Gangi

Changing your high cholesterol diet menu is easier than it may sound. It won't cost you as much as you think and the changes that result from it will made your life better. Your pantry will be the starting point. Here is where you may need to toss out some things and purchase substitutes but really that's all you have to do.

You need to begin by changing the things that you use such as salad dressings, and marinades, by changing these you can go a long way to reducing the amount of cholesterol in your diet. The way in which you cook your food can also change the amount of cholesterol in your diet. You will also find that when you change the way you cook your food it will taste better and be better for you.

Cooking Methods

Changing your cooking methods from a high cholesterol diet menu to a low cholesterol diet is not that hard either. By altering the way you prepare and cook food you can have a much healthier diet. Replace frying meat with broiling or grilling. The flavor of a burger, lamb chop, steak will be just as good when grilled or broiled instead of pan-fried.

Purchase a rack that you can use to drain off the fat after cooking. Whether you baked, roasted, or broiled the meat using a rack to drain off the fat before serving will help to reduce the fat content in your meals. When you baste meat during cooking use wine, olive oil, or fruit juice instead of the meat juices. This will still retain the flavor and keep the meat moist and tasty.

Planning what you are going to cook a day ahead can also help. When you cook a stew or soup for example, you will notice that after a day in the refrigerator fat floats to the top off the dish. By removing this fat on the top before serving will take you from a high cholesterol meal to a low cholesterol meal and by cooking a day before will help you also save you time in the kitchen.

Increase Your Vegetables

Vegetables have no cholesterol and by cooking your vegetables in a little bit of olive, canola, or sunflower oil makes them tasty and easy to prepare be sure to always include them as part of your meals. By increasing the amount of vegetables that you eat in a day will help you avoid a high cholesterol diet.

For desert substitute your creams and custard with fruit salads with fresh fruit and low fat yogurt. Try and avoid using canned vegetables and fruits when you are avoiding a high cholesterol diet menu, as these foods are high in salt.

About the Author:

Need more information on cholesterol and ways to reduce it then please visit:http://www.yourcholesteroldiet.com/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Changing Your High Cholesterol Diet Menu

Friday, May 15, 2009

good cholesterol foods

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

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

good cholesterol food

Boost Your Good Cholesterol

Author: Chris McCombs

Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is found in the tissues of the body of all animals. It is found in the blood of man and animals also. Cholesterol scares every human being a lot because, a majority of the people have a feeling that cholesterol is bad. But believe me there is good as well as bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol can be increased in our body by working out for long hours.

The food that we eat contains 20% of the cholesterol in our body. The remaining 80% is manufactured by the liver. But the cholesterol that is obtained from your work out is good. Working out for this purpose has to be for long hours which extends beyond half an hour. This was discovered by a new research review by Japanese researchers.

Types of cholesterol:

Bad cholesterol that is low-density lipoprotein and good cholesterol that is high-density lipoprotein are the two types of cholesterol in our body. Too much of bad cholesterol causes heart disease. But good cholesterol helps to remove bad cholesterol. Actually bad cholesterol gets deposited on the walls of arteries and good cholesterol helps to remove this by transporting if to the liver for elimination.

In order to increase good cholesterol an individual has to take up at least two hours or work out per week. These work outs can be in the form of aerobic exercises. The exercises include walking, biking or even swimming. Brief bouts of these exercise is not helpful.

Tai Chi and art of living also promotes good cholesterol in our body. Deep breathing associated with art of living, helps the flow of blood to all parts of the body. Meditation prevents the arteries from hardening. Proper exercise and balanced diet can improve good cholesterol in an individual's body.

Changes to be made in order to boost your good cholesterol:


o Stop smoking:


As smoking brings down the level of HDL cholesterol it increases the tendency of the blood to clot. To stop this you can quit smoking. You can take your doctor's advice to stop smoking and also medication to decrease nicotine cravings.


o Maintain your weight:


Your weight is also related to your HDL level. If you exercise your way to reduce your weight it will also help in increasing your HDL level. Bring in permanent changes in your life so that you can keep your weight in a healthy array. Adopt changes in your eating habits and exercise.


o Increase your physical activity:


Regular aerobic exercise increases HDL. At least 30-60 minutes of regular aerobic activity will help you to increase your HDL level. You can even go for a brisk walk. If you are not able to take longer workouts, you can do it as smaller sessions throughout the day.

o Select healthier fats:

Fats can be included in your diet but with a limit. 25-35% of fat can be taken with your diet. You should avoid saturated fat in your diet. Also discard food that contains trans fats which boosts LDL cholesterol. Nuts, fish and foods comprising omega-3 fats are also good options to be included in your diet.

oTake alcohol in moderation:

Red wine can be used in moderation and it helps in increasing HDL level. One drink for women and one to two drinks for men in a day is the recommendation for a healthy life.


oIncrease Fiber intake:


Include food such as whole grains, bran, fruits and vegetables in your diet. These foods contain more dietary fiber. Fiber raises HDL levels and it also helps you to lose your weight.

About the Author:
Chris McCombs is a personal trainer. He runs a program called Long Beach Weight Loss. Chris owns fitness and training business Positively Fit Inc. helping people all over Southern California lose fat and get the body they want. You can learn more about Chris at http://www.socalworkout.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Boost Your Good Cholesterol

lower cholesterol foods

Food Options For Lower Cholesterol

Author: Riley Hendersen

Want to eat a more heart healthy diet? Looking for ways to cut some cholesterol from your meals? Here are some options to help you make eating decisions that are better for you and contain a lower cholesterol count.

First, keep in mind that the majority of your cholesterol intake comes from animal products. These include things such as meats, egg yolks and whole milk. While trying to eat a lower cholesterol diet, you should steer clear of these foods as well as foods that contain these items in them.

Although meats do contain cholesterol, many people do not wish to avoid meat altogether in their diet. There are some sensible options to the higher fat meats available. When choosing a meat you should first trim the fat from your meat and limit your meat intake to one 3-ounce serving 5 times weekly. Ideal meats for a lower cholesterol diet include lean ground beef, lamb, veal, chicken and turkey. Meats you should avoid include bacon, sausage, hot dogs, lunch meat and processed poultry products.

Dairy products are also a group of foods that should be avoided if possible when devising a lower cholesterol diet. Of course, we all know that we need calcium in our diets and dairy products are the best way to get this calcium. So what are we to do? First, go for low-fat or non-fat milk or milk products. Other good choices include buttermilk, sweet acidophilus skim milk, low-fat yogurt, mozzarella or ricotta cheese, and low-fat cottage cheese. Dairy products to avoid include whole or 2% milk, chocolate milk, milkshakes, cream cheese, any processed chesses and whole milk or custard style yogurt.

While fruits and vegetables are generally considered a good lower cholesterol food choice, there are even some fruits and vegetables you should avoid. These include tomato sauce; spaghetti sauce; breaded, creamed or fat-fried vegetables; fruits packed in heavy syrup; sweetened dried fruits; and fried fruit snack chips.

Egg yolks are also a no-no when trying to eat a lower cholesterol diet. You should avoid eating more than four egg yolks per week, or consuming food containing more than four egg yolks per week. For less cholesterol in your diet, try cooking only with egg whites or using low cholesterol egg substitutes.

High fat foods should also be avoided when trying to eat a lower cholesterol diet. The best oils include sunflower oil, corn oil, olive oil, or peanut oil. Oils to avoid include butter, lard, bacon drippings, coconut oil and hydrogenated fats. Also, when choosing margarine, a tub is preferable over the stick form. Margarine should be made with unsaturated fats and liquid oils as opposed to saturated fats and hardened oils.

It is possible to help improve your heart health by eating a lower cholesterol diet. By knowing what foods to avoid and which foods are better for your health, you can begin to make good eating choices. When you begin to eat lower cholesterol foods, your body and your heart will thank you.

About the Author:

Still looking for a way to reduce your cholesterol? Try visiting http://www.eliminatecholesterol.com - a website providing cholesterol advice, tips and resources to included information on how to lower cholesterol.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Food Options For Lower Cholesterol

Saturday, May 9, 2009

foods proven to lower cholesterol

4 Foods Which Lower Cholesterol

Author: Lauren B. Wallace


High cholesterol is not a joke. It can lead to serious life threatening complications if untreated; that it why it is important to maintain a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle. When it comes down to a healthy lifestyle, daily exercise is a must. As for healthy eating habits, here are a few foods which are proven to lower bad cholesterol (or LDL).


Oatmeal is one of the most well known and beneficial LDL lowering foods. This particular product contains soluble fiber which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Soluble fiber can also be found in kidney beans, apples, rears, barley and prunes. The walnut is yet another cholesterol lowering food. This particular nut is made up of polyunsaturated fatty acids which are proven to not only reduce bad cholesterol but also keep blood vessels healthy and elastic. However, given that walnuts are fattening, a simple 2 ounce serving each day will be enough.


Third LDL lowering food is fish. It has been proven that all fatty fish are rich in omega 3 fats. What these omega 3 fats do for our bodies is reduce blood pressure, reduce the risk for blood clots, and lower bad cholesterol. Some of the highest levels of omega 3 fats can be found in mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon. Just be sure to bake or grill the fish in order to reap the most health benefits.


Last but not least, olive oil has been known to reduce LDL. This particular product contains a rich mixture of antioxidants which lower bad cholesterol and leave the good cholesterol untouched. The Food and Drug Administration recommends two tablespoons (23grams) of olive oil each day. You can incorporate this product in your diet by sautéing your veggies in it or mixing it with vinegar as salad dressing. These are just a few of the most beneficial LDL lowering foods.

About the Author:

Lauren S. Johnson writes health articles about fitness and nutrition.

Some of her favorite passions include studying the medicinal benefits of herbal remedies for antidepressants,

diet pills, and hoodia gordonii.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - 4 Foods Which Lower Cholesterol

Friday, May 8, 2009

foods to eat to lower cholesterol

Benefits of Foods That Lower Cholesterol

Author: Jb Anthony

There are many benefits to knowing foods that lower cholesterol. You will known what to avoid and what to stock up on. Health should be a primary concern, so you should be careful of the food you eat, since they affect you. With the rise of more processed food full of unsaturated fat, it is no wonder that more people have high cholesterol levels. This could lead to health problems.



To ensure that you are safe from cholesterol-related problems, be aware of the food that can harm you and those that can lower the level. The following are three examples of foods that can help you in your quest to lower cholesterol levels.


- Almonds, Walnuts, and More



Almonds and walnuts are full of polyunsaturated fatty acids that keep the blood vessels elastic and healthy. Eating them for a period of four weeks will greatly improve your health. Instead of cheese or meat that are full of unsaturated fat in your salads, use nuts instead. However, since nuts are rich in calories, you have to be careful not to go overboard.


- Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids



Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their triglyceride-lowering effect but other than that, they reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of blood clots. People who are suffering from heart attacks can also find that omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil can reduce the risk of sudden death.



Two servings of fish a week is recommended by doctors. You can eat baked or grilled albacore tuna, herring, lake trout, mackerel, salmon, and sardines.



Omega-3 fatty acids are not found in fish alone. You can get them from canola oil, flaxseed, soybean oil, and walnuts, too.


- Oat Bran and Oatmeal



Oat bran and oatmeal contain soluble fiber that can lower low density lipoprotein (LDL), which is a bad type of cholesterol. Soluble fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines and binds bile and dietary cholesterol for the body to excrete later.



Besides oats, soluble fiber can also be found in apples, barley, Brussels sprouts, kidney beans, pears, prunes, and psyllium.



Foods that lower cholesterol are good for you, but you do not have to take too much of them, lest you develop other ailments. While some of them do reduce the levels of cholesterol in your body, they can also increase the fat, like nuts and other types of oil.


Before you subject yourself to a different diet than the one you are used to, consult a doctor first. Medical opinion is always important, if ever anything goes wrong or if your new diet won't work on you.



It you plan to take foods that lower cholesterol, make sure your body can handle the change. Do not starve yourself and do not deprive yourself of most foods just because they contain a few fats. Moderation is key.

About the Author:

Get your guide to foods that lower cholesterol. Discover the best diet to lower cholesterol naturally.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Benefits of Foods That Lower Cholesterol

Thursday, May 7, 2009

what foods raise cholesterol

Is Your Diet Giving You Raised Cholesterol?

Author: Kenneth Scott

All of us lead a busy lifestyle today. Everyone is in a mad rush to achieve his or her goals and in the bargain we have forgotten to take out time for ourselves. We do not have time for relaxing, leisure or even taking care of ourselves.


All of this takes a toll on our body and it becomes important that we ensure that our eating habits are healthy. A healthy eating habit, which includes taking balanced diet, can help us in keeping fit that will enable us to take on further challenges in life. Eating healthy is a pillar for maintaining good health. One of the disease conditions that are hitting people all across the world is the cholesterol problem. And if you are one of those who have not heard about this terminology yet, it is high time that you visit your family doctor and get to know more about this condition.


Cardiovascular diseases are gaining the proportion of an epidemic. One of its causes is high level of cholesterol in the blood. The major portion of cholesterol that is found in our body comes from the food that we eat. Hence it is important to monitor our cholesterol levels on a regular basis and at the same time consume food that is low in cholesterol. Though we all love to eat foods that are rich in fat, it is high time that we wake up to the reality of cardiovascular disease.


The danger of this disease is aggravated by the fact that most of the Americans are obese. Obesity implies that the eating habit of the individual is not healthy. And thanks to this phenomenon of obesity, there have been a slew of diets offering low cholesterol and are being talked about.


We are what we eat. And if we choose a diet that is low in cholesterol, it is obvious that our body will never grow up to have high blood cholesterol levels. Given the increasing awareness on eating healthy, there are many different types of low cholesterol diets that are being floated all around.


It is important for a consumer to pick up a diet that is really effective in controlling the intake of cholesterol thereby resulting in low blood cholesterol. If you want to know more about these low cholesterol diets, one of the easiest places to get information is the Internet. And all this information is available for free.

About the Author:

To find more information about nutrition and your diet and its effect on cholesterol levels visit http://a1-nutrition.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Is Your Diet Giving You Raised Cholesterol?

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

cholesterol friendly foods

Children and Cholesterol

Author: Adrian Kennelly

Many people assume that high cholesterol is a problem that affects middle-aged adults only. In fact, many people don't even worry about their cholesterol when they are younger, eating all the fatty convenience foods they want, assuming that their early diet makes no difference.


Nothing could be further from the truth. More children today suffer from high cholesterol. In fact, the numbers of children who are taking cholesterol drugs is on the rise! Some studies have suggested that a childhood of poor eating choices can contribute to higher cholesterol later in life.


Besides this, many of the eating habits learned in childhood affects eating in adulthood. Children who are used to eating high-fat foods and convenience foods are more likely to make the same choices as adults. Switching to healthy foods in adulthood may be harder for children who have made less-than-heart-healthy food choices all their lives.


For all these reasons, controlling food intake and lifestyle choices even in early life can contribute to life-long heart health and good cholesterol levels.


If you have children, you can help ensure that they make the right food choices that can help them with their cholesterol levels now and later in life.


In fact, if you and other members of your family have high cholesterol, you need to introduce your children to cholesterol-healthy eating, as your children may be at an increased risk of developing high cholesterol themselves.


Luckily, it is not that hard to teach your children how to make smart food and lifestyle choices that are heart-healthy:


* Teach your children about healthy eating and cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol yourself, you may want to speak to your children about this. Informed children are better able to make smart food choices that can help keep their cholesterol levels healthy later in life.


* Let children make healthy food choices for themselves. Give your children some say about the fruits, vegetables and other foods that they like. Go through heart-healthy cookbooks with your children and let them help you decide what recipes to try.


* Be careful of the food and cholesterol attitudes you convey to your children. Children pick up emotional cues from their parents. If you treat a cholesterol-friendly diet as a type of punishment, your children will likely see it the same way.


If your children see you turn to fatty junk food when you are depressed or feeling stressed, they will likely do the same thing. Many parents are fussy eaters and pass this on to their children, which is a terrible disservice. Fussy eaters will simply not try the different healthy foods out there simply because the foods are different.


* Do not reward children with food. If your child does well at a sport or gets great grades in school, do not take them to a restaurant or for take-out to celebrate.


Give them horseback riding lessons or let them choose a toy or favorite activity instead. Many parents are tempted to keep sweet foods such as cupcakes and cakes for "special occasions" and "special treats" but this inadvertently makes children associate sugary foods with good times and vegetables with punishment or everyday life.


* Take your children food shopping - especially when you are shopping for fresh produce. Let your children choose which vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods they would like. Encourage your children to decide which fruits and vegetables look as though they might be tasty. Treat your produce shopping trip as an adventure and your children may be more likely to eat their fruits and vegetables without a fuss.


* Monitor what your children eat. As a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your children eat three meals a day that include foods that are low in fats and high in nutrients. Reduce the amount of sugars and fats your children eat and limit how much junk food is allowed.


* Become involved in your child's school lunch program or cafeteria. Many schools offer less than healthy school lunches as well as vending machines full of sugary foods. At a number of schools, though, parents have banded together to force school boards to provide better foods choices for students. Use this as your inspiration to make sure that your child can make healthy foods choices in school.


* If you are worried about what your children eat, consider taking them to a nutritionist who can help teach them what they should be eating.


* Even if your child has elevated cholesterol levels, realize that growing children still need more fats and nutrients than adults. Never simply place your child on a very low-fat diet - consult with a pediatrician to find a diet plan that can help your child grow while keeping cholesterol under control. A too-low-fat diet may affect childhood development.


* Teach your children about the dangers of smoking. Smoking is a risk factor for cancers, heart disease, and high cholesterol.


* Get your children to exercise. Virtually all health experts agree that North American children do not exercise enough. This has disastrous effects on cholesterol levels and overall health. One of the best things you can do to keep your children away from the dangers of high cholesterol is to get them to exercise at least a little each day. Find an activity they enjoy and encourage them in their activity.


* If your child smokes, is overweight, or has at least one parent who has a cholesterol level of more than 240mg/dl, your child is at an increased risk of high cholesterol - even at an early age. Take you child to the doctor - especially if your child has more than one of the risk factors - for a complete check-up and cholesterol check.

About the Author:

Buy the ebook 30 Days to Lower Cholesterol to learn more on how to lower your cholesterol
Purchase it for $14.95 from the DirectoryGold eProducts Shop

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Children and Cholesterol

cholesterol safe foods

Lower Cholesterol Naturally and Safely Reduce Risk of Heart Disease

Author: Arthur Nelson

Have you been told by your doctor to lower cholesterol levels through your diet? Or are you one of millions of Americans that realize, heart disease has reached epic proportions in this country and are looking for natural ways to lower cholesterol? Don't distress; there are several ways to lower cholesterol without prescription statin drugs and their possible dangerous side effects.



"High cholesterol" is actually a misnomer for the improper balance between HDL cholesterol (most commonly referred to as "good" cholesterol) and LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol because it is the major cause of blockages in blood vessels, leading to heart attack and stroke). When the LDL cholesterol level is extremely elevated in relation to the HDL cholesterol level, your doctor may prescribe statin drugs such as Lipitor or Crestor, and recommend you to try a lower cholesterol diet, to bring these cholesterol numbers back into a more proper and safer range.


Cholesterol from food is hard to get away from, even though you may be watching your diet. All foods of animal origin contain cholesterol, especially including eggs, red meat, and shrimp. Generally, foods that are high in saturated fats or trans fats should also be limited. These include foods you may not even think of, such as: grilled cheese sandwiches, margarine, potato with butter, and even chicken pot pie. Fortunately, a national campaign has recently eliminated trans fats from being used by the many fast food restaurants. This will surely reduce some of the high cholesterol numbers across the nation over the long run.


Lowering cholesterol through your diet is a good start to "lower cholesterol," but other things can be done to affect your goal. You can lower cholesterol through more exercise. But exercise alone will not reduce cholesterol, lower cholesterol must be attacked from within the body. It has been discovered that several herbs and vitamins can be used in combination with your diet to lower cholesterol.


Guggul, cayenne, policosanol, garlic, vitamin C and niacin are just a few of the herbs and vitamins that have been clinically proven to bring cholesterol levels back into a proper and safe range. Lowering cholesterol naturally with these herbs and vitamins, in conjunction with diet and exercise, have been shown in medical studies to reduce high LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol levels within 30-60 days. Studies have also documented that use of these herbs and vitamins while taking statin drugs, resulted in a more rapid correction to proper cholesterol levels than taking statin drugs alone. You can get more cholesterol information that will help you lower cholesterol at my website, www.GreatNewsHealth.com. We can all benefit from lower cholesterol, which will lead to a longer, more enjoyable, and productive life for everyone.

About the Author:

Lower cholesterol is the most efficient way to avoid serious health problems such as heart attack and stroke. Visit my website, www.GreatNewsHealth.com to learn more ways to combat this dangerous killer, along with the best natural cholesterol remedy available today. Take responsibility for your own health today; you won't regret it.

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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

cholesterol diet foods

Benefits Of Eating A Low Cholesterol Diet

Author: Julia Carmichael

The liver makes most of the cholesterol in the body, but dietary cholesterol plays an important role in controlling all the cholesterol levels in the body. The levels include the total cholesterol and the good and bad cholesterol.


Good cholesterol, the HDL (high-density lipoproteins), protects the heart by helping to transport excess cholesterol from the arteries back to the liver for breakdown and disposal.


On the other hand, the bad LDL (low-density lipoproteins) cholesterol builds up plaque that clogs the arteries and hinders normal blood flow.


A low cholesterol diet should not only reduce the total cholesterol and LDL levels, it must also increase the HDL level at the same time.

Dietary Cholesterol


The main sources of dietary cholesterol are animal-derived foods rich in cholesterol and saturated fats, such as organ meats, egg yolk, butter and other full-cream dairy products. Trans fats (as those in deep-fried foods) and hydrogenated fats (as those in bakery items) are the other culprits.


In a low cholesterol diet, you would replace saturated fats with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats such as oils of olive, canola, peanut, flaxseed, sunflower, and so on.


Fats to Avoid


As far as trans fats and hydrogenated fats are concerned, it is advisable to avoid them as far as possible, which means taking away French fries, crispies, cakes, cookies, pastries, and ice-creams from the low cholesterol diet menu.


Recommended Low Cholesterol Diet


Foods that should make an essential part of a low cholesterol diet must come from the following food groups:


Cereals and grains: Whole-wheat bread, unpolished rice, and oats-based cereals are foods that are rich in fiber, which helps sweep away the bad LDL cholesterol from the blood. In a low cholesterol diet it is essential to replace white bread and other refined, polished grains with whole-grain varieties.


Nuts and seeds: Nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts and seeds like flaxseeds are rich in antioxidants (such as vitamin E and selenium) and in good fats, called omega-3 fatty acids, which protect the heart by increasing the HDL level.


Nuts and seeds are also a rich source of fiber. The best way to include flaxseeds in a low cholesterol diet is by grinding them and sprinkling over cereals and salads.


Fish: Non vegetarians can choose to have a fatty cold-water fish such as salmon or tuna twice a week to get a rich supply of omega-3 fatty acids.


Beans and legumes: Beans, legumes and lentils are rich sources of protein and fiber and are low in fat content. They make an ideal substitute for meats. Soy cheese (tofu) is another good meat substitute in a low cholesterol diet.


Fiber-rich foods: Foods like oats, barley, psyllium, apples, pears, prunes, kidney beans and Brussels sprouts are rich in soluble fiber, which acts like a broom to sweep out the cholesterol from the arteries.


Fruits and vegetables: Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, flavanoids and plant sterols, all of which help lower cholesterol and raise HDL level. Some 8-10 servings of fruits and vegetables should be included in the daily low cholesterol diet.


Garlic, onion: Some people believe garlic regulates liver functioning and dissolve the cholesterol deposits in the arteries. Others swear that including just half a raw onion in the daily low cholesterol diet can lower LDL level and increase HDL level.


Following a low cholesterol diet, with regular exercise, and cutting out on meats, full-cream dairy products, deep-fried foods and bakery items, can go a long way in lowering total cholesterol. Similarly, it lowers LDL cholesterol levels while raising the HDL level.

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Get the latest in low cholesterol diet know how from the only true source at http://www.lowercholesterollog.com. Check out our low cholesterol diet pages.

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Monday, May 4, 2009

worst foods for high cholesterol

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.

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To learn more about Low'>http://ezinearticles.com/?High-Cholesterol-Foods-to-Avoid&id=746064">Low Cholesterol Food please visit the website Lowering Cholesterol by clicking here.

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