|  | Conditions Treatments | Cholesterol

Can Cholesterol Be Controlled by Diet Instead of Medication?

The body needs cholesterol and fat to perform vital bodily functions. Cholesterol moves through the blood by joining with fat to create lipoprotein, a protein covered substance. Not all lipoproteins are created equal. There are three types of lipoprotein: high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and yery-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). If you have high cholesterol, it means you have a high number of LDL or VLVL. Ideally you want a higher level of HDL.

  1. Dangers

    • HDL transports excess cholesterol to the liver, where it can be harmlessly processed. But, LDL can build up on the walls of the arteries and VLDV will enlarge LDL particles. This narrows the arteries and reduces the blood flow, which can result in a heart attack or stroke. Increasing levels of HDL is beneficial, as it helps reduce levels of bad cholesterol. Diet and heredity factors influence how the body produces lipoproteins.

    Causes

    • High cholesterol can be caused by lifestyle choices, such as a lack of exercise, obesity and diet. But, it can also be caused by heredity factors. It is possible to lower your cholesterol by managing your weight, exercising and eating a healthy diet, but diet alone may not control your cholesterol if your genetic makeup causes your liver to produce too much cholesterol or prevents cells from effectively removing LDL cholesterol from your blood. If hereditary factors are keeping your cholesterol levels high, medication along with healthy lifestyle changes may be your best options.

    Healthy Diet

    • A healthy diet to control cholesterol includes whole grains; plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; low fat, fiber rich foods; spreads with plant stanols; and heart healthy fish, such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, and cod. Trans fat should be eliminated from the diet and unsaturated fats should be consumed instead of saturated fats. Unsaturated fats are primarily derived from plants, while saturated fats are typically animal fats. Low fat cuts of meats should be chosen over fatty cuts. Foods high in cholesterol should be limited, such as eggs, meat and whole milk products. According to the Mayo Clinic, you shouldn't consume more than 300mg of cholesterol daily. If you already have heart disease, lower that amount to 200mg of cholesterol daily

Cholesterol - Related Articles