Many people are afflicted with high cholesterol. A lot of people don’t actually understand what cholesterol is. They just think it has something to do with eggs. Either eggs make it better or eggs make it worse. Regardless, it’s something to do with eggs right?
Cholesterol is a type of fat in your bloodstream. There are multiple different types of cholesterol. Some are healthy, some are not so healthy. The type of cholesterol that is considered a “bad” cholesterol is LDL. This cholesterol is responsible for a lot of the negative effects that cholesterol is known for.
High cholesterol has some pretty serious complications if it is occurring for a long period of time. Cholesterol tends to build up in the bloodstream. It can cause clotting and blockages. Blood clots and heart attacks are common and stroke is always a concern as well!
What are Proper Cholesterol Levels?
When it comes to measuring cholesterol levels, it is measured in mg/dL. There are total cholesterol levels as well as LDL cholesterol levels. Some people are concerned with the overall stats, but it’s the LDL that is usually the most important.
Typically an LDL level should be at approximately 100 mg/dL or lower. When cholesterol rises above 160 mg/dL, that’s considered the danger zone. That is far too high and heart disease is likely right around the corner.
High and Low Cholesterol Foods
Food is one of the main sources of cholesterol and problems with cholesterol. Here’s the thing. Food that has high cholesterol is often delicious. There’s no way around it. However taste just can’t be the only thing that matters. There needs to be a balance. Here are some high and low cholesterol foods to consider:
High Cholesterol Foods:
- Butter - It’s the building block of many different foods, but butter is very high in cholesterol.
- Fatty Meats - Yes, fat gives meat a lot of flavor, but fattier cuts and sausages are just asking for you to raise your cholesterol with every bite.
- Cheese - This can depend on the type of cheese you get. Lower fat and lower moisture cheeses are better when it comes to cholesterol.
Low Cholesterol Foods:
- Eggplant - It’s not just an inappropriate emoji anymore! Eggplant is an excellent fatty meat replacement in many recipes.
- Citrus Fruits - While high in natural sugar, citrus fruits are very low in cholesterol, making them an excellent choice in the morning.
- Nuts - While nuts may contain a large amount of fat, they lack the LDL cholesterol that causes problems. Nuts are actually quite good at lowering cholesterol overall.
How to Lower Cholesterol
Lowering your cholesterol isn’t a magic science. It’s about willpower, and wanting to avoid the dangers of things like heart disease. Lowering your cholesterol is a process that typically involves several steps. Here are some examples of what needs to be done:
- Diet - Sticking to a proper diet is crucial. Eating properly will lower your cholesterol and ensure that you aren’t doing anything to increase it.
- Medication - Some people will need to take some medication. There are several that have proven to be very effective for some people and it assists it lowering it until natural activities can take over.
- Exercise - It shouldn’t be surprising, but exercise is a great boon in managing cholesterol (like it is for almost any issue in the body). Being fit is a great compliment to the healthy eating and works almost every time.