Managing elevated cholesterol with a healthy diet
Cholesterol is an essential component that your body needs to insulate nerves, produce hormones, and build new cells. However, chances are that your liver produces all of the cholesterol that your body needs to perform all of these important tasks. In addition, the body is subjected to extra cholesterol from food sources such as meat, eggs, and milk. With the overconsumption of cholesterol-saturated foods, which is common in modern diets, people run the risk of a number of health problems.
Excess cholesterol in your bloodstream tends to build up on the arterial walls of the body. This causes atherosclerosis, which is a type of cardiovascular disease. This health problem causes the space within your arteries to narrow decreasing the space available for proper blood flow. Ultimately, this condition can spell disaster for your health. Fortunately, elevated cholesterol can be reversed so that you can get back on track to optimum health.
If you have high cholesterol, your doctor will be able to offer the most suitable treatment plan. In some cases, patients with elevated cholesterol levels are put on cholesterol-lowering medications. If the condition has not yet reached a critical point, it is possible to reverse high cholesterol through diet and exercise alone.
A dietary approach to reducing cholesterol levels include eliminating saturated and trans fats from your diet. Saturated fat is found in food derived from animals such as meat, milk, cheese and ice cream. Trans fats are especially detrimental to a person’s heart health. Trans fats are primarily found in prepared snack items, baked goods, fried foods, potato chips, margarine, and similar food. By eliminating or reducing these types of foods in your diet and eating more fresh vegetables, fruit, legumes and whole grains, you will be able to manage your cholesterol levels. Add on a regular exercise routine, and optimum heart health will be right around the corner.
If you have questions about managing elevated cholesterol levels with a healthy diet, see your local doctor who will arrange for you to see a dietitian.
