Cholesterol is a type of waxy steroid metabolite that is found in the cell membranes and is transported within the plasma of the blood in humans. It is a vital structural component of mammalian cell membranes and are required to establish the proper membrane fluidity and permeability. Cholesterol is also an important bodily component for the construction and manufacture of steroid hormones, fat-soluble vitamins and bile acids. However, an excess of high cholesterol food consumption can result in high blood pressure, heart failure, as well as other medical maladies. It is for this reason that it is important for individuals to maintain a low cholesterol diet to reduce bad cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol diets focus on reducing cholesterol rich foods and consuming more good low and good cholesterol foods.
Cholesterol is found in many foods, some foods containing a much higher concentration of cholesterol than others. These foods are the ones that should be avoided or eaten only in limited, controlled quantities. Because cholesterol is not the only energy source for the body, it is a good idea to make sure it is consumed in doses to reduce harm to the circulatory system. In order to reduce cholesterol through a healthy cholesterol diet, one that does not rely on an overabundance of cholesterol, a specific set of rules and regulations must be followed to ensure overall health in the body’s finer functioning.
The primary purpose of this particular cholesterol diet is to reduce the total dietary fat, more specifically, the saturated and trans fat that the body intakes on a regular basis (also known as hydrogenated fat). It is also meant to reduce the dietary cholesterol intake as well as the body’s sodium intake which will effectively help reducing cholesterol build up in the body.
Cholesterol comes into the body from two primary sources. Most of the cholesterol that is in the body is produced by the liver which makes it from various nutrients such as ingested fats. Because the liver comes in contact with so much fat to be metabolized, it makes just about all cholesterol that the body needs. However, sometimes, cholesterol is included in other products that are digested by the body with the cholesterol remaining intact and adding onto the cholesterol that the body already makes. These foods include poultry, red meats, egg yolks, whole milk, dairy products, and organ meats. If one is trying to stay away from cholesterol-filled foods in a cholesterol diet, these are the big hitters of the cholesterol world. However, the sole problem with refraining from consuming any of these foods is that many of them also contain vital proteins and calcium that the body needs for basic functioning. If one decides to not eat any of these at all, he or she would need to find an alternative source of protein and calcium to replace it in their cholesterol diet.
Just because an individual does not eat cholesterol-rich foods does not mean that he or she will not have cholesterol problems. In fact, many supplements or alternative means of protein and calcium also create an excess of sugar or fats, all of which create cholesterol when they are passed through the liver. In reality, there is no way to completely get away from cholesterol, especially if one likes meat and sugar.
Something good to do to reduce cholesterol though, is to make sure that there is ample fiber in one’s diet. Fiber is known to be very important for reducing cholesterol as well as for keeping other heart diseases at bay. Around 30 grams of fiber in a day is a decent amount to go by to help reduce cholesterol. Fiber blunts hunger which gives a feeling of fullness in the stomach. In doing this, it causes individuals to not feel the need to eat in excess, which can control weight, and thus, cholesterol. Also, fiber is able to help reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in certain foods, sometimes even neutralizing them which allows for the body to be capable of taking more cholesterol in.
Reducing cholesterol, maintaining a good cholesterol diet and getting enough exercise is always good to keep the circulation of the blood high, thus, keeping cholesterol at bay. In doing this, one can make sure that cholesterol is never a problem
Comments
HDL Cholesterol: The Good, The Bad and The Fixable | Open Source Food
March 30th, 2010 - 4:52:47 PM
[...] 1 Comment HDL cholesterol, which stands for high density lipoprotein cholesterol, is commonly known as the “good” cholesterol. But before we go into that, let’s the cover the cholesterol basics. [...]
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Rocio Cardoza
June 18th, 2010 - 6:54:14 PM
Excellent information you make my date, reading and getting this kind of information you will help a lot of people with high colesterol like me Thank you Rocio Cardoza
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JUANITA GRAHAM
June 18th, 2010 - 6:59:36 PM
HI, I would like to know what is a normal cholesterol number,MY AGE 66
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Kristie
June 19th, 2010 - 12:05:03 PM
I am not a big fruit or veggie eater. My cholesterol is high and I need to change my diet plan. Any suggestions?
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Kristie
June 19th, 2010 - 12:09:01 PM
I am not a big fruit or veggie eater. My cholesterol is high and I need to change my diet plan. Any suggestions? Also is deer meat considered a lean type of meat?
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Earlene Holloway
June 25th, 2010 - 8:23:04 PM
I have high good cholesterol. I need to lower it by diet and exercise. I was told to limit my sugar and starches. I need a diet to follow to lower it. I really don't know what to eat. My total cholesterol is 180. Please give me some suggestions.
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sue rudiger
June 26th, 2010 - 11:14:04 AM
Hi I just found out I have high cholesterol. 268 what are my options for dieting. and can i eat shell fish or seafood?
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Melissa
June 28th, 2010 - 1:58:07 PM
Hi, i have very high cholesterol 406, need to now what foods to stay way from and a diet i can keep with to lower my cholesterol. Any suggestions would be helpful.
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Samuel A
June 29th, 2010 - 9:57:40 AM
Iam at 284 cholesterol\780CS need to now what diet i can keep up to lower all.
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Jean Quigley
July 8th, 2010 - 2:32:01 PM
I have a moderately blocked and a partially blocked artery. My doctor said I should stay away from choloesterol all together. This is not easy to do. Most meats have it. I tried to find a NO CHOLESTEROL
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Jean Quigley
July 8th, 2010 - 2:33:05 PM
diet book at Library but no such item.
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Alice McKenzie
July 8th, 2010 - 9:52:33 PM
Iam a 62 yuo female that just found that i have bad ccholoesterol and I need advice on whitch is ithe best diet, I do tend to eat faster than I should. Can any one offer ADVICE?
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Lilia Petty
July 11th, 2010 - 10:28:36 PM
Hi, Im 50 yrs old now. I have a high cholesterol. Im petite person. I don't know if it is a hereditary one or not. My weight is not more than 100lbs. As soon as I found out that I have high cholesterol (of course I went to the doctor)I reduce my eating habit. My doctor prescribed me the zocor(simvastatin) I feel something on my right side of my body down on my ribs( i think the liver) and I stop taking it. Because im afraid of the bad side effects of taking it. And the next time I went to see my doctor the number of my cholesterol is high again. And im taking the zocor (simvastatin)again. I didnt really eat too much meat or milk or fatty foods. I like fish also instead of those meats. My quesion is- is it okey also to take a hebal pills for lowering my cholesterol? Can any one say something about the herbal pills? thank you.
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Lisa
July 18th, 2010 - 11:52:51 AM
I have high cholesterol and have been able to lower it and maintain it by changing my diet. As much as someone may not like to eat specific foods, as we all do, you can find substitues or get used to those foods. I've almost completely cut out dairy and processed foods. I love dairy but it's a huge cholesterol contributor. So once in a while I treat myself to my favorite foods. Your health is so much more important than what you want to eat. Don't wait for something to go seriously wrong with your body that you may not be able to reverse. You do get used to the new diet.
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Curt
August 17th, 2010 - 1:08:17 PM
I am struggling to lower my cholesterol.
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Norma
September 22nd, 2010 - 8:40:26 AM
I am a cancer surviver and recently my doctor told me that I have a high cholesterol of 276, I would like to reduce it by eating the right food I walk 2 miles every morning. I need some advise on what to eat and, is that enough excersise?
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mirundap
November 6th, 2010 - 3:22:00 PM
Like Paul said it is true
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Ramona Williams
November 10th, 2010 - 10:48:59 AM
I have been on 10mg of vytorin for several years. 6 months of the year I live at 9,000' and all is well, then 6 months of the year at sea level where I get bad side effects, pain down the right side of my face, I'm wondering why??
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carlos
December 4th, 2010 - 6:33:29 AM
i would like to no most food got cholest so which are the good ones
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jennifer grant
December 21st, 2010 - 2:25:07 PM
my 10 yr old has high cholesterol!!!! it is 252 and i have been doing 5 servings of fruitand/or veggies,staying away from dairy and red meats!!! we have been fighting this for a yr now!!! need a good diet to follow! ty
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Dianlynn
January 1st, 2011 - 6:57:55 PM
I have recently been diagnosed with Peripheral Vascular Disease and both of my legs are showing blockages. The right feels far worse than the left. I will meet with a Vascular Surgeon this next week to schedule surgery to save my feet and legs. I inherited my high cholesterol from both parents and have just started my 2nd week on Prevachol. I am beside myself - since starting this medication my nights are miserable and my days are worse than they have been in years. I seem to tolerate my days but the nights are a different story. This medication has seemed to exacerbate a totally separate condition I was diagnosed with in 1993. I have worked hard to give my life a good quality and I feel that this medication is unraveling all that I have done to get where I was prior to Prevachol. Do all the cholesterol meds carry the same possibilities of side effects? They all seem to recommend taking at night I'm guessing in hopes that I could sleep through the worst of it. At 52 yo, I've already outlived my father & would like to continue with a quality of living to go with it. What's quantity without quality. Any advice with this medication or anything to get through this would be greatly appreciated. All of you are in my prayers --that's all I've got. Best of life to all.
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enrico togna
February 27th, 2011 - 5:59:47 PM
what foods to to stay away from to lower my cholesteral
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mercedes littlejon
March 28th, 2011 - 6:44:57 PM
I have high cholesterol and last week I tried to drink my water with lemon and I notice that my blood sugar and high cholesterol went down.If anybody will try this let me know if you have the same result.
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AGNES STROUD
March 29th, 2011 - 6:24:46 PM
What is red yeast rice and is it healthy?
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