Archive for the ‘fish’ Category

All The Info On The New Cholesterol Findings

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

Cholesterol, although a fat, is an essential nutrient for the body. It is made in the liver. The liver produces cholesterol in the necessary quantities for health.

Food that helps to lower cholesterol levels

Other foods that can lower the cholesterol levels are fruits and vegetables. This type of food doesn’t contain that much cholesterol so whatever you eat, you won’t be adding to its levels.

Another great thing about fruit and vegetables is the fact that they are great sources of fibres that the body also needs to combat LDL cholesterol. Berries as well as fruit that is citrus and carrots are just some of the fruit you can count on for combating LDL.

Soya is another food that can dramatically reduce the levels of cholesterol in the body. Fibre rich food, soya as well as almonds and plant sterols also reduce cholesterol levels by as much as 20 percent, according to a recent study. Eating oats, olive oil and barley are also great ways to lower LDL.

To lower LDL, it’s important to consciously avoid foods that are deep-fried. If you have to eat fried foods, make sure that the oil that you use is vegetable oil.

Never use butter as this is rich in saturated fats. Instead, use margarine as a substitute. Steam, braise, boil or bake your food these are both tastier and healthier.

It’s not just the food

There are many factors that contribute to the rise in the levels of cholesterol. In addition to one’s eating lifestyle, there is the age, gender, genes, family history and of course the amount of physical activity that’s done. Exercise is certainly very important in keeping LDL cholesterol at bay. Not only that, it strengthens the body’s resistance as well as improves blood circulation.

One reason for the high levels of cholesterol, could be due to the wide variety of fast food being offered these days at the grocery store and in restaurants. But is there one food product that can be called the best to lower cholesterol? Probably not as a well balanced diet comes from all of the food groups.

Lowering cholesterol quick tips

* Instead of drinking full cream milk on cornflakes or whole grain, try using non or low fat milk instead. The taste is almost the same, but is much healthier.
* Instead of ordering a steak change your menu to lean meat instead, but be careful as even lean meat has fat, although not as much and tastes just as good as the big steak.
* The healthiest thing to have either for lunch and/or dinner is food that comes from the ocean. Fish or shellfish is known to contain concentrates of Omega 3, which is very effective in lowering cholesterol.
* Eating a candy bar or a slice of cake is tempting, but they are rich in fat - although there are low fat and cholesterol free chocolate cake recipe. Try nuts or fruits instead, which are rich in fibre as well as contain vitamins and minerals that are lots healthier than the candy or cake.
* In each meal, don’t forget to add fruit where possible. A salad works well or grated carrots as a side dish. There should be a balance whenever eating meat or fish.
* Chicken is not so good if it’s fried, steamed is far better and a healthier way of cooking it - but remember to remove the skin.

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Fish Oil May Help Cholesterol

Friday, August 8th, 2008

In these times of ever increasing rates of heart disease and stroke, people all over the world are looking for healthy alternatives to lessen their risk of developing fatal disorders. In the war against cholesterol and other risk factors for vascular disease, fish oil may just be your most vital secret weapon. Fish oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, and you will soon understand why this is a vital ingredient for great health.

First, let´s analyze what causes heart disease and stroke. There are a number of risk factors which contribute to the ever increasing occurrences of cardiovascular diseases in our society. These risk factors are essentially anything that contributes to the damage of arteries and veins all over the body, especially the arteries of the heart. In order to understand how the arteries of the heart are damaged you must understand what commonly consumed substances can lead to this damage. One of the key factors contributing to heart disease is cholesterol and fat. But not just any type of fat, rather low density lipoproteins that make their ways into our blood stream. Essentially over time, LDL and cholesterol will build up in the lumen of the arteries and close them off leading to an infarction or stroke depending on which artery is blocked. Because the average modern diet is full of fat and cholesterol most people are at a significant risk of contracting some type of artery disease over time. This is where fish oil comes in.

Fish oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids which include ALA, EPA, and DHA. These substances when present in the blood actually counteract the effects of fat and cholesterol on the arteries. Numerous scientific studies have found that omega 3 fatty acids which are found most abundantly in fish oil actually lower the amount of triglycerides in the blood. On a steady diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids a person is protected to a large extent from the buildup of harmful fat and cholesterol within the blood. But the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids are not only protective and preventative. Other studies have found that a steady supplement of fish oil can actually break up fatty atherosclerotic buildup within damaged arteries. This means that in a person who is already suffering from atherosclerosis, fish oil may help reverse the effects of years of damage. This attribute alone makes fish oil the holy grail of health supplements considering our ever increasing levels of heart disease and stroke. If the heart healthy effects of omega 3 fatty acids aren’t enough, it has also been found to improve and preserve the memory and nervous tissue.

If you would like to improve you memory and cardiovascular health, then you may want to look into a bottle of quality fish oil today. Make sure the oil is free of contaminants and pure. Fish oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, and could quite possibly save your heart as well as mind.

Nevertheless, it is always advisable to consult your doctor before you start your fish oil supplements, especially if you are on some anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning drugs.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit pharmaceutical grade fish oil for more information.

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How to Fight Cholesterol

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Dr. Helen is having some cholesterol hell. She wants to keep her LDL cholesterol low and HDL cholesterol high, and having suffered a heart attack in the past this is of the utmost importance. The product she was using was Benecol Smart Chews, which, judging by the nutrition facts, don’t seem to have anything particularly wrong with them. It uses plant sterols, proven to lower LDL cholesterol in the human body. Yet her LDL cholesterol and triglycerides level went up. What gives?

Whatever the reason, cholesterol is something you should try to keep in check whether young or old. Sometimes, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol come from crazy places you wouldn’t even think of. Below are my tips for getting your cholesterol under control through the use of a good diet, exercise, and supplements.

Avoid Processed Foods and Artificial Sweeteners

This is so hard to do nowadays because almost everything is processed and almost everything has corn syrup in it (even the chews!). Processed foods like corn syrup — and even white bread and white pasta — are turned into glucose (sugar) rapidly by the body. Excess sugar that your body doesn’t use fast enough will be turned into fat. In this case, most often these foods will be turned into triglycerides, a kind of fat that is easy to burn off but is detrimental to your health.

Buy truly whole grain products whenever possible to avoid this affect on the body.

Limit Your Alcohol Consumption

Certain alcohol beverages, such as beer and especially wine, have been shown to have incredible health benefits in moderation. A couple glasses of wine a day is no problem. However, when you drink alcohol, the liver prioritizes the metabolism of alcohol over other substances such as glucose. This results in even more glucose than usual being converted into triglycerides. This will happen especially when drinking cocktails that involve fruit juices and syrups. This is especially a warning to all the college students out there!

Eat Your Fiber

This can’t be stressed more. Fruits, vegetables, and legumes have so many different qualities that are amazing that they shouldn’t be passed up on. In terms of helping with your cholesterol, there are some benefits that your greens can give you that few foods can. The soluble fiber in fruits and legumes, as well as oatmeal, form gelatinous substances in the intestine and bind with cholesterol so that it is removed rather than absorbed. Eating just 15 grams of soluble fiber a day can reduce your LDL cholesterol by 10-15% over time.

Exercise and You Won’t Be Sorry

A regular regimen of exercise is extremely helpful in burning off triglycerides and reducing LDL cholesterol while boosting HDL cholesterol. There is no doubt that cardiovascular exercise as well as weight training reduces inflammation, excess fat, and LDL cholesterol. Truly, any amount of exercise is beneficial but those who do it regularly will see the most benefit. You need to remember though that the heart is also a muscle, and while it may seem strange, a whey protein shake after a jog is just what it needs to build itself stronger than ever before.

Get Acquainted with the Good Fats, Throw Out the Bad

A supplement with plant sterols alone is not going to do the trick — essential fatty acids have the most control over your cholesterol levels. Before I say anything, I just wanted everyone to know that I am extremely biased against low/no fat diets. I think they are ridiculous and led to a generation of people coming down with cardiovascular diseases. That’s because fat in your diet is so absolutely necessary that you can’t afford to cut it out. In terms of cholesterol, fat can save your life if you eat the right kinds. So what are they?

Monounsaturated fats are what you want the most of in terms of lowering LDL cholesterol. When eating a salad or some whole wheat pasta, feel free to drizzle a good helping of extra virgin olive oil. Salad dressings based on olive oil are also good. Seriously, olive oil is amazing and shouldn’t be passed up on.

You should also make sure to get a large amount of your essential oils from food sources. Fish have a lot of good fats in them, such as the polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6. Avocado is great. Some coconut oil, a medium-chain saturated fat, has been shown to be beneficial as well. You should also eat a decent amount of nuts, as they contain a great amount of oils that are beneficial to the body.

So what are the bad? Any kind of processed or refined oil. That giant, cheap gallon of vegetable oil should be thrown out immediately. There is no better way to raise your triglyceride and LDL cholesterol count than to cook everything in vegetable oil. When oils are heated they undergo a chemical transformation that makes them much less healthy for you. Basically, anything that says processed, hydrogenated, or partially hydrogenated should be thrown out especially if found in packaged food. These are generally trans fats — the biggest culprit in terms of bad cholesterol.

You will also want to trim as much fat off of red meat as possible as, unlike coconut oil which is a medium-chain saturated fat, these are long-chain saturated fats and do have a connection to higher LDL cholesterol. Replace some of your red meat meals with fowl and fish instead.

Some Supplements Do Wonders

There is a reason that bodybuilders and nutritionists are absolutely obsessed with certain supplement products. Their benefits are proven, visible, and effective in everyone.

Flax seeds and flax seed oil are one of nature’s best sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Taken as a supplement or whole, these little guys do wonders for your cholesterol and heart. Cod liver oil is a good alternative, containing these fats along with vitamins A and D naturally.

Like I said, bodybuilders and nutritionists take these because they work. AI put a bit of flaxseed oil in every protein shake I make. While I’m sure the Benecol Smart Chews has had some kind of effect given the plant sterols, I don’t believe that it can have nearly the effect as supplementing with essential fatty acids.

Conclusion

There are many lifestyle changes that you can make in order to boost your cardiovascular health and tackle cholesterol problems. As a natural substance that your body needs, dietary cholesterol itself has very little impact on the cholesterol in your body. When you eat more cholesterol, your body simply makes less. The terms HDL and LDL actually refer to lipoproteins that surround the cholesterol the production of which has much more to do with dietary fat than dietary cholesterol. A good exercise regimen, but most of all a healthy diet full of unprocessed foods and essential unsaturated fatty acids, are essential to raising your HDL and LDL levels, thus preventing the kind of arterial plaque that can lead to so many cardiovascular diseases.

These tips worked for me, and I hope that by following my suggestions you can successfully achieve your goals. Good luck Dr. Helen and everyone else!

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Cholesterol Shoots Up

Sunday, July 6th, 2008

Doctors and dieticians stresses on following a special diet chart to the people suffering from cholesterol problem. And if the disease is low-density lipoprotein or LDL, that is, the worst form of cholesterol, the person has to take extra care of his health and diet. A proper diet to lower LDL cholesterol must include food that contain lots of soluble fibre, polyunsaturated fatty acids, Omega-3 fatty acids, sterols or stanols, and soy protein.

The soluble fibre mentioned in a proper diet to lower LDL cholesterol is found in high percentage in oatmeal and oat bran. Foods like kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, pears, apples, barley, psyllium and prunes are also very rich in soluble fibres. These foods reduce the absorption of intestinal cholesterol by helping the body to excrete the dietary cholesterol and excess bile.

A proper diet to lower LDL cholesterol must have five to ten grams of fibre per day to lower the cholesterol by five percent. A person suffering from high cholesterol must consume one-and-a-half cups of cooked oatmeal that contains 4.5 grams of soluble fibre. Besides fibre, polyunsaturated fatty acids help to reduce blood cholesterol. These fatty acids, mostly found in walnuts and almonds, keep the blood vessels healthy, well oxygenated and elastic.

A proper diet to lower LDL cholesterol must include one-third cup of walnuts or almonds every day. This counts to about 240 calories or 20 per cent of the total calorie intake in a day. If consumed at a regular basis, these nuts help to lower cholesterol within one month.

In a proper diet to lower LDL cholesterol, it is very important to have omega-3 fatty acids that are mostly found in fish, and whale and seal meat. Apart from these sources, the other omga-3 fatty acids enriched vegetarian edibles are flaxseed, canola oil, walnuts and Soya bean oil. However this element is best found in fishes and fish oil. The highest carriers of these fatty acids are salmon, sardines, albacore tuna, mackerel, and lake trout.

A proper diet to lower LDL cholesterol must include baked or grilled fish that reduces blood clotting and blood pressure due to their ability to reduce triglyceride. Fat, especially trans and saturated ones are a big no-no for a cholesterol patient. Beside a controlled and healthy diet, regular exercises are also important. In case the cholesterol level shoots up, one must take proper medication.

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Cholesterol Diet Good Lowering

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

How to Lower Your Cholesterol?

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs and Cholesterol Lowering Diet

Whatever the reasons may be for your high blood cholesterol level - diet, heredity, or both - the treatment your doctor will prescribe first is a diet. If your blood cholesterol level has not decreased sufficiently after carefully following the diet for 6 months, your doctor may consider adding cholesterol-lowering medication to your dietary treatment. Remember, diet is a very essential step in the treatment of high blood cholesterol.

Cholesterol-lowering medications are more effective when combined with diet. Thus they are meant to supplement, not replace, a low-saturated fat, low-cholesterol diet.

Summary of Diet Guidelines for Lowering High Blood Cholesterol Levels

* Eat less high-fat food (especially those high in saturated fat)
* Replace part of the saturated fat in your diet with unsaturated fat
* Eat less high-cholesterol food
* Choose foods high in complex carbohydrates (starch and fiber)
* Reduce your weight, if you are overweight

Eat Less High-fat Food

Dietary Fat

There are two major types of dietary fat - saturated and unsaturated. Unsaturated fats are further classified as either polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats. Together, saturated and unsaturated fats equal total fat. All foods containing fat contain a mixture of these fats.

Reduce Total Fat Intake

One of the goals in your blood cholesterol-lowering diet is to eat less total fat, because this is an effective way to eat less saturated fat. Because fat is the richest source of calories, this will also help reduce the number of calories you eat every day. If you are overweight, weight loss is another important step in lowering blood cholesterol levels (as discussed later in this brochure). If you are not overweight, be sure to replace the fat calories by eating more food high in complex carbohydrates.

Remember: When you decrease the amount of total fat you eat, you are likely to reduce the saturated fat and calories in your diet.

Saturated Fat

Saturated fat raises your blood cholesterol level more than anything else in your diet. The best way to reduce your blood cholesterol level is to reduce the amount of saturated fat you eat.

Animal Fats

Animal products as a group are a major source of saturated fat in the average American diet. Butter, cheese, whole milk, ice cream, and cream all contain high amounts of saturated fat. Saturated fat is also concentrated in the fat that surrounds meat and in the white streaks of fat in the muscle of meat (marbling). Poultry, fish, and shellfish also contain saturated fat, although generally less than meat.

Hydrogenated Fat - Known As Trans Fatty Acids or Trans-Fats

Trans fats are created during the food manufacturing process when cheap vegetable oils undergo a process called “hydrogenation” - they have hydrogen added to them to make them solid and less likely to become rancid. Unfortunately, trans fats are even worse for our heart than saturated fat, as they encourage atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries).

Vegetable Fats

A few vegetable fats - coconut oil, cocoa butter (found in chocolate), palm kernel oil, and palm oil - are high in saturated fat. These vegetable fats are found in many commercially baked goods, such as cookies and crackers, and in nondairy substitutes, such as whipped toppings, coffee creamers, cake mixes, and even frozen dinners. They also can be found in some snack foods like chips, candy bars, and buttered popcorn. Because these vegetable fats are not visible in these foods (unlike the fat in meats) it is important for you to read food labels. The label may tell you how much saturated fat a food contains, which will help you choose foods lowest in saturated fats.

Remember: Saturated fats are found primarily in animal products. But a few vegetable fats and many commercially processed foods also contain saturated fat. Read labels carefully. Choose foods wisely.

Substitute Unsaturated Fat for Saturated Fat

Unsaturated fat actually helps to lower cholesterol levels when it is substituted for saturated fat. Therefore, health professionals recommend that, when you do eat fats, unsaturated fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats) be substituted for part of the saturated fat whenever possible.

Polyunsaturated fats are found primarily in safflower, corn, soybean, cottonseed, sesame, and sunflower oils, which are common cooking oils. Polyunsaturated fats are also contained in most salad dressings. But be cautious. Commercially prepared salad dressings also may be high in saturated fats, and therefore careful inspection of labels is important. The word “hydrogenated” on a label means that some of the polyunsaturated fat has been converted to saturated fat.

Another type of polyunsaturated fat is found in the oils of fish and shellfish (often referred to as fish oils, or omega-3 fatty acids). This type of polyunsaturated fat is found in greatest amounts in such fatty fish as herring, salmon, and mackerel. There is little evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are useful for reducing LDL-cholesterol levels. However, fish is a good food choice for this diet play anyway because it is low in saturated fat. The use of fish oil supplements are not recommended for the treatment of high blood cholesterol because it is not known whether long-term ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids will lead to undesirable side effects.

Olive and canola oil (rapeseed oil) are examples of oils that are high in monounsaturated fats. Like other vegetable oils, these oils are used in cooking as well as in salads. Recently, research has shown that substituting monounsaturated fat, like substituting polyunsaturated fat, for saturated fat reduces blood cholesterol levels.

Remember: Unsaturated fats when substituted for saturated fats help lower blood cholesterol levels.

Eat Less High-Cholesterol Food

Dietary cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in foods that come from animals. Although it is not the same as saturated fat, dietary cholesterol also can raise your blood cholesterol level. Therefore, it is important to eat less food that is high in cholesterol. While cholesterol is needed for normal body function, your liver makes enough for your body’s needs so that you don’t need to eat any cholesterol at all.

Dietary Cholesterol in Food

Cholesterol is found in eggs, dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish. Egg yolks and organ meats (liver, kidney, sweetbread, brain) are particularly rich sources of cholesterol. High-fat dairy products, meat, and poultry all have similar amounts of cholesterol. Fish generally has less cholesterol, but shellfish varies in cholesterol content. Foods of plant origin, like fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, nuts, and seeds, contain no cholesterol.

Since cholesterol is not a fat, you can find it in both high-fat and low-fat animal foods. In other words, even if a food is low in fat, it may be high in cholesterol. For instance, organ meats, like liver, are low in fat, but are high in cholesterol.

Because many foods such as dairy products and some meats are high in both saturated fat and cholesterol, it is important to limit the amount of these high-fat foods that you eat, choosing lean meats and low-fat dairy products whenever possible.

Remember: Organ meats and egg yolks are high in cholesterol. High-fat dairy products, meat, and poultry have similar amounts of cholesterol. Some fish has less. Foods of plant origin like fruits, vegetables, vegetable oils, grains, cereals, nuts, and seeds contain no cholesterol.

Substitute Low GI Carbohydrates for Saturated Fat

Breads, pasta, rice, cereals, dried peas and beans, fruits, and vegetables are good sources of complex carbohydrates (starch and fiber). Low-GI varieties are excellent substitutes for foods that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. The type of fiber found in foods such as oat and barley bran, some fruits like apples and oranges, and in some dried beans may even help reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Contrary to popular belief, high-carbohydrate foods (like pasta, rice, potatoes) are lower in calories than foods high in fat. In addition, they are good sources of vitamins and minerals. What adds calories to these foods is the addition of butter, rich sauces, whole milk, or cream, which are high in fat, especially saturated fat. It is important not to add these to the high-carbohydrate foods you are substituting for foods high in fat.

Remember: Foods that are high in complex carbohydrates, if eaten plain, are low in saturated fat and cholesterol as well as being good sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Maintain a Desirable Weight

People who are overweight frequently have higher blood cholesterol levels than people of desirable weight.

You can reduce your weight by eating fewer calories and by increasing your physical activity on a regular basis. By reducing the amount of fat in your diet, you will be cutting down on the richest source of calories. Substituting foods that are high in complex carbohydrates for high-fat foods will also help you lose weight, because many high-carbohydrate foods contain little fat and thus fewer calories.

Fat Contains Twice the Calories of Carbs and Protein

Fat has more than twice the calories as the same amount of protein or carbohydrate. Protein and carbohydrate both have about 4 calories in each gram, but all fat-saturated, polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat - has 9 calories in each gram. Thus, foods that are high in fat are high in calories. And all calories count. So, to maintain a desirable weight, it is important to eat no more calories than your body needs.

Remember: To achieve or maintain a desirable weight, your caloric intake must not exceed the number of calories your body burns.

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Cholesterol What Is It and Are You At Risk?

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

Cholesterol is a fatty lipid, steroid and an alcohol found in the body tissues and blood plasma of vertebrates. It is the essential part of the outer membranes of human body cells, and it circulates in the blood.

Cholesterol in the human body comes from two major sources. About three-quarters of the body’s total cholesterol is produced within the body, while only one-quarter comes from cholesterol in food.

Higher concentrations of cholesterol are present in body tissues which have more densely packed membranes - i.e. the liver, spinal cord, brain, atheroma, adrenal glands and reproductive organs.

The liver is the most important site of cholesterol biosynthesis. It is secreted from the liver in the form of an acidic secretion known as ‘bile’.

Diets rich in animal fats, meat, poultry, fish, oils, egg yolks and dairy products are a rich source of dietary cholesterol. Organ meats, such as liver and kidney, are extremely rich in cholesterol content, but foods of plant origin contain no cholesterol.

High cholesterol levels in the bloodstream can influence the pathogenesis of certain conditions. Recent studies have revealed that the abundance of protein complexes called lipoproteins, are responsible for the cholesterol build-up in the blood vessels.

Cholesterol gets attached to these lipoproteins. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) carries cholesterol out of the bloodstream for excretion, while the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) carries it back into the system for use by various body cells.

LDL cholesterol is called bad cholesterol, because elevated levels of it are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. LDL deposits cholesterol on the artery walls which leads to the formation of a hard, thick substance called cholesterol plaque. Over time, cholesterol plaque causes thickening of the artery walls and narrowing of the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis.

The levels of both HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol may also determine risk for heart disease; however current medical opinion is that the ratio of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol is much more important than the level of cholesterol.

Methods to control your cholesterol levels:

Lower your consumption of foods containing saturated fats - fried fast foods, butter, cream, cheese, and fat on meat - to help reduce cholesterol. Add more plant foods to your diet - vegetable oils, nuts, legumes, breads, cereal grains, fruits and vegetables. A low cholesterol diet, combined with regular exercise is the best way to lower cholesterol levels.

Medications can also help lower cholesterol levels. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, ‘Statins’, such as lovastatin and atorvastatin (Lipitor) are the most effective and widely used medications to lower LDL cholesterol. Other medications include nicotinic acid, fibrates such as gemfibrozil, resins such as cholestyramine, and ezetimibe. These medications should be taken after consulting the experts.

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Cholesterol Diet High Cholesterol

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

High cholesterol affects about 17% of Americans ages 20 and older, contributing to atherosclerotic heart disease, which is the single leading cause of death and disability in the developed world. This medical dictionary covers the terms used in the report, What to do about High Cholesterol, and includes details on how to lower and watch your cholesterol through tests and diets.

* antioxidant: A substance that inhibits oxidation.

* apolipoproteins: Proteins that combine with cholesterol and triglyceride to form lipoproteins.

* atherosclerosis: Development of cholesterol-rich plaque on the inner walls of arteries, which can eventually obstruct blood flow.

* atherosclerotic plaque: A cholesterol-rich deposit on an artery wall.

* biological variability: Fluctuations that occur naturally over time in the levels of a substance such as cholesterol in a person’s body.

* cholesterol: A fatlike substance that is produced by the liver and found in all food from animal sources; an essential component of body cells and a precursor of bile acids and certain hormones.

* chylomicron: A large, extremely low-density lipoprotein that transports triglyceride from the intestine to fat tissue in the body.

* combined hyperlipidemia: A condition in which LDL and triglyceride levels are very high.

* familial combined hyperlipidemia: An inherited disorder in which the liver overproduces VLDL, causing high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides, or both.

* familial hypercholesterolemia: An inherited disorder in which the liver cannot properly remove LDL particles from the blood, causing a very high cholesterol level.

* fasting lipid profile: A laboratory test to determine the relative levels of HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol in the blood. Also referred to as a lipoprotein analysis, full lipid profile, or cholesterol profile.

* fatty acids:
The primary building blocks of lipids.

* foam cells: Lipid-laden cells, named for their foamy appearance under the microscope, which contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque.

* high-density lipoprotein (HDL): A lipoprotein that protects the arteries by transporting cholesterol from body cells to the liver for elimination.

* hydrogenation: The addition of hydrogen to a compound, particularly to solidify unsaturated oils.

* lipids: Fats, oils, and waxes that serve as building blocks for cells or as energy sources for the body.

* lipoproteins: Protein-covered fat particles that enable cholesterol to move easily through the blood.

* low-density lipoprotein (LDL): A lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body, which can cause the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

* monounsaturated fats: Fatty acids; abundant in olive, peanut, sesame, and canola oils.

* oxidation: A process in which oxygen combines with a substance, altering its structure and changing or destroying its normal function.

* platelets: Minute, colorless disks in the blood that are instrumental in clotting.

* polyunsaturated fats: Fatty acids that are abundant in soybean, corn, cottonseed, safflower, and sunflower oils.

* saturated fats: Fatty acids that are abundant in red meat, lard, butter, cheese, and some vegetable oils, in which each molecule carries the maximum number of hydrogen atoms.

* trans fats: Fatty acids (such as those found in solid margarine) that have been reshaped by hydrogenation; also called trans fatty acids.

* triglyceride: The primary type of fat in the body and in the diet, formed from three fatty-acid molecules and one glycerol molecule.

* unsaturated fats: Fatty acids in which some of the hydrogen atoms in each molecule have been replaced by double bonds; includes monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

* very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL): A lipoprotein that transports triglyceride manufactured in the liver to fat tissue in the body; eventually becomes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) after the triglyceride has been removed.

In foods, cholesterol is found in eggs, dairy products, meat, and poultry. Egg yolks and organ meats (liver, kidney, sweetbread, and brain) are high in cholesterol. Fish generally contains less cholesterol than other meats, but some shellfish are high in cholesterol.

Foods of plant origin (vegetables, fruits, grains, cereals, nuts, and seeds) contain no cholesterol.

Fat content is not a good measure of cholesterol content. For example, liver and other organ meats are low in fat, but very high in cholesterol.

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) is a set of things you can do to help lower your LDL cholesterol. The main parts of TLC are:

* The TLC Diet. This is a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol eating plan that calls for less than 7% of calories from saturated fat and less than 200 mg of dietary cholesterol per day. The TLC diet recommends only enough calories to maintain a desirable weight and avoid weight gain. If your LDL is not lowered enough by reducing your saturated fat and cholesterol intakes, the amount of soluble fiber in your diet can be increased. Certain food products that contain plant stanols or plant sterols (for example, cholesterol-lowering margarines) can also be added to the TLC diet to boost its LDL-lowering power.
* Weight Management. Losing weight if you are overweight can help lower LDL and is especially important for those with a cluster of risk factors that includes high triglyceride and/or low HDL levels and being overweight with a large waist measurement (more than 40 inches for men and more than 35 inches for women).
* Physical Activity. Regular physical activity (30 minutes on most, if not all, days) is recommended for everyone. It can help raise HDL and lower LDL and is especially important for those with high triglyceride and/or low HDL levels who are overweight with a large waist measurement.

Foods low in saturated fat include fat-free or 1percent dairy products, lean meats, fish, skinless poultry, whole grain foods, and fruits and vegetables. Look for soft margarines (liquid or tub varieties) that are low in saturated fat and contain little or no trans fat (another type of dietary fat that can raise your cholesterol level). Limit foods high in cholesterol such as liver and other organ meats, egg yolks, and full-fat dairy products.

Good sources of soluble fiber include oats, certain fruits (such as oranges and pears) and vegetables (such as brussels sprouts and carrots), and dried peas and beans.

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Cholesterol Free Low Fat Diet

Saturday, June 14th, 2008

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in all parts of the body. Your body makes some cholesterol, and some cholesterol comes from the food you eat.

Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease. This article focuses on cholesterol and your diet.

Diet - Cholesterol (Alternative Names)

Cholesterol helps the body produce hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D. Cholesterol moves through the bloodstream to be used by all parts of the body.

Cholesterol is found in eggs, dairy products, meat, and poultry. Egg yolks and organ meats (liver, kidney, sweetbread, and brain) are high in cholesterol. Fish generally contains less cholesterol than other meats, but some shellfish are high in cholesterol.

Foods of plant origin (vegetables, fruits, grains, cereals, nuts, and seeds) contain no cholesterol.

Fat content is not a good measure of cholesterol content. For example, liver and other organ meats are low in fat, but very high in cholesterol.

In general, your risk of developing heart disease or atherosclerosis goes up as your level of blood cholesterol increases.

More than half of the adult population has blood cholesterol levels higher than the desirable range. High cholesterol levels often begin in childhood. Some children may be at higher risk due to a family history of high cholesterol.

To lower high cholesterol levels:

* Limit total fat intake to 25 - 35% of total daily calories. Less than 7% of daily calories should be from saturated fat, no more than 10% should be from polyunsaturated fat, and no more than 20% from monounsaturated fat.
* Eat less than 200 mg of dietary cholesterol per day.
* Get more fiber in your diet.
* Lose weight.
* Increase physical activity.

The recommendations for children’s diets are similar to those of adults. It is very important that children get enough calories to support their growth and activity level, and that the child achieve and maintain a desirable body weight

The following two sample menus provide examples of an average American diet and a low-fat diet.

AVERAGE AMERICAN DIET

* Breakfast
o 1 egg scrambled in 1 teaspoon of butter
o 2 slices of white toast
o 1 teaspoon of butter
o 1/2 cup of apple juice
* Snack
o 1 cake donut
* Lunch
o 1 ham and cheese sandwich (2 ounces of meat, 1 ounce of cheese)
o White bread
o 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise
o 1-ounce bag potato chips
o 12-ounce soft drink
o 2 chocolate chip cookies
* Snack
o 8 wheat thins
* Dinner
o 3 ounces of broiled sirloin
o 1 medium baked potato
o 1 tablespoon of sour cream
o 1 teaspoon of butter
o 1/2 cup of peas, 1/2 teaspoon of butter

Totals: 2,000 Calories, 84 grams fat, 34 grams saturated fat, 425 milligrams cholesterol. The diet is 38% total fat, 15% saturated fat.

LOW FAT DIET

For the same number of calories, a low-fat diet provides 190 mg of cholesterol, compared to 510 mg of cholesterol for an average American diet. Because fat is high in calories, the low-fat diet actually has more food than the typical American diet.

NOTE: The low-fat diet example is too low in fat for small children to promote good growth. In addition, it may be difficult for them to eat such a large volume of food. Children should have a diet that is closer to 30% of calories from fat. Lower-fat diets may be appropriate in some children. Ask your doctor what is best for your child.

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Cholesterol Diet Free Plan

Saturday, June 7th, 2008

Getting a free low fat diet plan from me is just the first step. You have to put in the work! Personally, I prefer the term ‘low saturated-fat diet plan’ since the plan I am about to give you is low in saturated fats, and rich in the ‘good fats’.

How can fat be good for you?

That’s exactly what I thought when I started out as a personal trainer. The answer lies in a series of hormones called eicosanoids. These hormones control every major function in the body. They are influenced by the type and amount of fat you eat, and your lifesyle.

A well designed, free, low fat diet plan combined with a healthy lifestyle (exercise, sound sleep, low stress) is the secret to weight loss. The food list below is an extension of the low cholesterol diet food list.

Important components of a low fat diet plan.

Fruits and vegetables - Fiber.

Eat at least 3 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Fruits and vegetables are very low in saturated fat and total fat, and have no cholesterol. When shopping, remember to buy fruits and vegetables to eat as snacks, desserts, salads, side dishes, and main dishes.

Add a variety of vegetables to meat stews or casseroles or make a vegetarian (meatless) main dish. Raw vegetables are crucial to the success of my free low fat diet plan. Try carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce and store in the refrigerator for quick and easy use in cooking or snacking.

Serve fresh fruit for dessert or freeze (banana, berries, melon, grapes) for a delicious frozen treat. Display fresh fruit in a bowl in the kitchen to make fruit easier to grab as a snack.

To keep naturally lowfat vegetables low in fat and saturated fat, season with herbs, spices, lemon juice, vinegar, fat free or lowfat mayonnaise or salad dressing.

Breads, Cereals, Rice, Pasta, and Other Grains.

Breads, cereals, rice, pasta, and other grains, and dry beans and peas are generally high in starch and fiber and low in saturated fat and calories.

They also have no dietary cholesterol, except for some bakery breads and sweet bread products made with high fat, high cholesterol milk, butter and eggs.

Like fruits and vegetables, naturally low fat, low cholesterol breads and other foods in this group are also good choices. You should be eating 6 to 11 servings of foods from this group each day.

Choose whole grain breads and rolls often. They have more fiber than white breads and are an important component of the free low fat diet plan. Buy dry cereals, most are low in fat.

Limit the high fat granola, muesli, and oat bran types that are made with coconut or coconut oil and nuts, which increases the saturated fat content.

Add fat free milk or 1% milk instead of whole or low fat (2% milk) to save saturated fat and cholesterol.

Buy pasta and rice to use as entrees. Hold the high fat sauces (butter, cheese, cream, white). Limit sweet baked goods that are made with lots of saturated fat, mostly from butter, eggs, and whole milk such as croissants, pastries, muffins, biscuits, butter rolls, and doughnuts. These are also high in cholesterol.

Sweets and Snacks.

Some sweets and snacks, like baked goods (cakes and cookies) cheese crackers, and some chips are high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

The following foods are allowed in the free low fat diet plan, but please do not go overboard. fat free or low fat brownies, cakes, cheesecake, cupcakes, and pastries. Frozen lowfat or nonfat yogurt, fruit ices, ice milk, sherbet, and sorbet.

Caution - these treats may be low in fat, most are not low in calories. So indulge occasionally, especially if you are trying to control your weight with a low fat diet.

Low fat snack foods.

Every free low fat diet plan should include foods as snacks.

Soy chips.
Ready-to-eat cereals without added sugar.
Frozen grapes or banana slices; or other fresh fruit.
Low fat or fat free crackers.
No-oil baked tortilla chips.
Popcorn (air popped or “light”).
Pretzels.
Raw vegetables with nonfat or low fat dip.

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List of Cholesterol and Triglyceride Reducing Foods

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

FRUITS
Apricots: Dried, cooked, unsweetened 1/2 cup
Banana, raw 1 medium
Cantaloup, raw About 1/2 cup diced
Grapefruit juice: Canned or frozen, unsweetened 3/4 cup
Fresh 3/4 cup Honeydew melon, Melon balls (cantaloup and honeydew),
Nectarine, raw 1 medium
Orange juice: 6 ounces
Peaches: Dried, cooked, unsweetened 1/2 cup
Pears: Dried, uncooked 1/2 cup
Pomegranate, raw 1 medium
Prunes, dried, cooked, unsweetened 1/2 cup
Prune juice, unsweetened 1/2 cup
Raisins 1/4 cup
Watermelon, raw About 1 3/4 cups diced

VEGETABLES
Artichoke, globe (french), cooked 1 medium
Asparagus, cooked 1/2 cup
Beans: Green, cooked 1/2 cup
Lima, cooked 1/2 cup
Cauliflower, cooked 1/2 cup
Chard, cooked 1/2 cup
Corn, cooked 1/2 cup
Mushrooms, cooked 1/2 cup
Parsnips, cooked 1/2 cup
Peas, green, cooked 1/2 cup
Plantain, green or ripe, boiled 1 medium
Potato: Baked or boiled, with or w/o skin 1 medium
Pumpkin, cooked 1/2 cup
Rutabaga, cooked 1/2 cup
Spinach, cooked 1/2 cup
Squash, winter, cooked, mashed 1/2 cup
Sweetpotato: Baked 1 medium or Boiled 1 medium
Tomatoes: Raw 1 med., Stewed 1/2 c., Tomato juice, canned 3/4 c. Tomato-vegetable juice or tomato juice cocktail, canned 3/4 c.

MEAT, POULTRY, FISH
Laura’s Meat is a nice lean meat that will be beneficial to reducing LDL while obtaining protein.
Meat and Poultry Beef: Brisket, braised, lean only 3 ounces
Ground; extra lean, lean, or regular; baked or broiled 1 patty
Pot roast, braised, lean only 3 ounces
Roast, rib, roasted, lean only 3 ounces
Shortribs, braised, lean only 3 ounces
Steak, lean only: Baked or broiled 3 ounces + Braised 3 ounces
Stew meat, simmered, lean only 3 ounces
Chicken, without skin: Breast, broiled or roasted 1/2 breast
Leg (thigh and drumstick), broiled or roasted 1 leg
Cornish hen, roasted, without skin 1/2 hen
Ham, roasted, lean only: Fresh, Smoked or cured 3 ounces
Lamb, lean only: Chop, shoulder; baked, braised, or broiled 1 chop Roast, leg or shoulder, roasted 3 ounces
Pork: Chop, baked or broiled, lean only 1 chop
Cutlet or steak, baked or broiled, lean only 1 cutlet
Ground, cooked 3 ounces
Roast, roasted, lean only: Loin 3 ounces
Shoulder 3 ounces
Turkey, light or dark meat, roasted, without skin 3 ounces
Veal, lean only: Chop, braised 1 chop Cutlet or steak, pan broiled 1 cutlet, Roast, leg, roasted 3 ounces

FISH (Cheskfor dietary cholesterol some fish and most shellfish can be high.)
Fish and Seafood Carp, catfish, flounder, or mullet; baked or broiled 3 ounces Haddock, mackerel, or porgy; baked or broiled 3 ounces
Clams: Canned, drained 3 ounces
Steamed or boiled 3 ounces
Cod, croaker, pompano, or trout; baked or broiled 3 ounces
Crabmeat, steamed 3 ounces
Lobster, steamed or boiled 3 ounces
Mussels, steamed, boiled, or poached 3 ounces
Ocean perch, perch, pike, sea bass, or whiting; baked or broiled 3 ounces
Oysters: Canned, undrained 3 ounces
Steamed 3 ounces + Salmon: Baked or broiled 3 ounces
Steamed, poached, or canned; drained 3 ounces
Scallops: Baked or broiled 3 ounces
Boiled or steamed 3 ounces
Swordfish steak, baked or broiled 3 ounces
Tuna, canned, drained 3 ounces

LEGUMES (Meat alternate)
Dry Beans, Peas, and Lentils Beans, cooked: Bayo, black, brown, or red kidney 1/2 c
Calico, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), mung, or pinto 1/2 cup
Lima, soybeans, or white 1/2 cup
Lentils, cooked 1/2 cup
Peas, split, green or yellow, cooked 1/2 cup
Soy milk 1 cup

MILK, CHEESE, AND YOGURT
Milk 1% or skim
Chocolate, made skim milk 1 c
lowfat or non fat cheese 1 ounce
Milk-based fruit drinks 1 c
Yogurt: Flavored, made with lowfat milk 8 ounces, Frozen 8 ounces, Fruit, made with lowfat or nonfat milk 8 ounces

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