Cholesterol Lowering Diet
Cholesterol can be broken into three categories: LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.
LDL or low density lipoprotein is the type of cholesterol that doctors consider to be the bad cholesterol. HDL or high density lipoprotein is the type that is considered good cholesterol. Which leaves triglycerides, this substance is another type of fat found in the blood stream.
Triglycerides are used by the body as a form of energy in between meals. When the body takes in more food than it can burn, these fats stay at higher levels in the blood stream.
Classify Your Food.
An example of the cholesterol diet lowering portfolio is the portfolio diet. This diet consists of a daily two thousand calorie diet.
On a daily basis a person must ingest thirty grams of almonds, twenty grams of viscous fiber foods such as oats or barley, fifty grams of soy protein, and two or three grams of plant sterols and stanols.
Recent studies have shown that sterols and stanols have a molecular structure similar to cholesterol and they keep the body from absorbing cholesterol.
One other thing of note about this diet is that it does not recommend ingesting meat. If meat is desired then only the leanest cuts should be eaten.
Cholesterol and the Body.
A little known fact is that the body manufactures all the cholesterol it needs. Anything extra that is taken in to the body is not beneficial.
Overindulging on foods that are high in cholesterol will lead to deposits forming in the arteries which can eventually lead to blockages and serious health problems. This makes it important to create and utilize a cholesterol diet lowering portfolio.
The Herbal Supplement.
The study of natural foods and herbs has produced many supplements that are conducive to lowering cholesterol. A good place to begin the search would be with natural herbal products from New Zealand.
If one knows where to look, it is rather easy to find supplements that perform better that prescription medication for lowering cholesterol. To maximize benefits, one of these spectacular herbal supplements should be used in conjunction with a cholesterol diet lowering portfolio.
Helping the body to heal itself while raising good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol, is the most efficient weapon in the fight against cholesterol.
NO More Fried Foods.
It is best to steer clear of fatty foods, deep fried foods (even those fried in vegetable oil), and of course fast foods.
Any type of homogenized oil is harmful as it contains higher concentrations of trans fats. Trans fats like cholesterol are unhealthy for the cardiovascular system.
A good rule of thumb about the ingredients in foods is that if you cannot pronounce it, you probably should not eat it. Create and utilize a good cholesterol diet lowering portfolio and live a long healthy life, both for yourself and the ones that love you.
