Does A Best Diet For High Cholesterol Exist And How You Diet To Control High Cholesterol, Revealed!

July 9, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

Many cholesterol-conscious individuals tend to worry about that one best diet for high cholesterol. The questions that keep surfacing most often in health forums about cholesterol are, “Is there a best diet for high cholesterol?” or, “What is the best diet for maintaining low cholesterol?” The answer to those questions is a straightforward, “No!” There simply is just no one best diet to lower and control high cholesterol. Yes, figuring out how to lower cholesterol through diet is important, but – I believe that is going about it the wrong way. What they should be asking themselves instead is – if there is a diet to control high cholesterol that is best for them! And I’m here to tell you how to do just that.

Your choices in diet to help lower high cholesterol are one of the most important and safest ways to control high cholesterol. In fact, planning what to eat to lower your cholesterol should be one of your first priorities even before considering consuming any kind of cholesterol-lowering medication.

Doctors usually recommend aiming to lower your level of LDL cholesterol to less than 160mg/dl. Those with coronary heart disease should target a LDL cholesterol level of less than 130 mg/dl. That is – total cholesterol of 240mg/dl and 200 mg/dl respectively.

Diets to reduce high cholesterol revolve around low fat and high fiber

There is really only one vital key in any diet for lowering cholesterol … and that every diet plan you follow includes – low fat and high fiber. It really is as simple as that. Keeping your diet low in fat and high in fiber means:

  • Reducing your sugar intake: Everything you have probably heard about sugar is true. Cutting your intake of sugar is crucial to lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. An elevated triglyceride level significantly increases your risk of heart disease and studies have also shown that elevated triglyceride levels can portend the development of diabetes.
  • Keep your eye out for harmful trans-fats: Trans-fats are found in margarine, sauces, salad dressing and sugary snack foods.
  • Reduce your intake of animal fats, fried foods and chemically induced foods

And what about that fiber that you body so badly needs? You definitely cannot go wrong with fresh fruits and vegetables where fiber is concerned. Oats, rye, dried peas, yams, beans yogurt, and cultured foods are all great additions to your diet.

Here is a tip – if possible, consume soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is found – as already mentioned – in fruits and vegetables. But, another product soluble fiber is found in, is in one of the most effective grains that should be added to your diet to control high cholesterol …

Barley – a powerful choice in any cholesterol reducing diets

Barley has been used in traditional medicine by people thousands of years back. But, it is only recently that barley had been discovered to be highly effective in lowering cholesterol. As mentioned above, fibers are usually classified as either soluble or insoluble. And it is these water-soluble fibers like barley that have shown to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event.

Like in oats, beta-glucan (a complex sugar) is also found in barley. Studies have shown that those who include a high intake of beta-glucan in their diets, are more successful in lowering their LDL cholesterol.

So, here is a short list of water-soluble fiber that should become part of your natural remedy for lowering cholesterol:

  • Apples
  • Grapes
  • Oranges
  • Peaches
  • Squash
  • Corn
  • Carrots
  • Nuts and seeds (psyllium seeds are best)
  • Peanuts
  • Lentils
  • Peas
  • Beans
  • Oats
  • And of course, barley.

Maintaining low cholesterol includes starches

‘Complex carbohydrates’ or natural starches are needed by your body to burn fat. It is wise to include starches in your diet to control high cholesterol. Natural starches are found in breads, potatoes, pasta and cereal. Being naturally low in fat and high in fiber (everything that a diet to lower high cholesterol needs), these foods should be added to your dietary list.

Bear in mind, it is what you pile on to these foods that adds to the fat. A rising cholesterol level is due to the consumption of fat. Don’t get me wrong. Fat is a great source of energy for your body. It also helps absorb certain types of vitamin and nutrients.

But for those who are using diets to lower cholesterol, they should attempt to keep their fat consumption between 25 and 35 percent of their calories. That is the secret to maintaining a perfect dietary plan – eat less fat than your body burns everyday.

Keep in mind that just as important as the amount of fat you consume, is the type. Stay away from saturated and trans fats. These are the types of fat that are true enemies of good cholesterol. Cut that saturated fat from your diet and you lower your cholesterol.

If you’re wondering about good fats, then these are monounsaturated fats, and omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fats. Fish contain polyunsaturated fats, which are the best kind. Little wonder that so many dieticians recommend fish in many dietary plans.

So, if you are serious about lowering and maintaining low cholesterol and fighting heart disease, pay attention to your diet. Make this your first step towards combating bad cholesterol.

To sum up, your diet to control high cholesterol should and preferably incorporate these foods:

  • A diet rich in natural starches, fiber and protein.
  • Keep your diet low in bad fats as well. Preferably, stay off bad fats completely. This combination gives you a diet rich in nutrients such as potassium, calcium and magnesium, which, aid in the lowering of blood pressure and can add years to your life. Think, more vegetables fruits and whole-grain foods such as oats, brown rice (instead of white rice) and whole-grain bread (instead of white bread). This combination also keeps your diet low in calories – which means – no extra pounds. Besides keeping you in good shape, this combination prevents any build-up of toxins in your intestines. You can get the necessary proteins from beans, eggs and fish. Protein aids in rebuilding your muscle cells and tissues. A diet involving this combination will not only form a natural source to reduce cholesterol, but will also improve your cardio-vascular system and prevent arthritis.
  • And remember, keep off deep-fried foods like French fries and if possible, keep off baked potatoes too. Replace white potatoes with yams and sweet potatoes.

Maybe, there is a best diet for high cholesterol after all!

Author: Rafael Todorini
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

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What You Should Know About Cholesterol Testing

May 13, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

When should I undergo a cholesterol test? What would the results say about my health? How many tests are there and which will give me the best results?

Unlike any other health tests, cholesterol testing does not diagnose disease. Instead, it reveals the risks of developing heart disease. Cholesterol testing is considered necessary in preventive health care for individuals over 20 years of age. The test should be repeated once every five years for healthy individuals.

Cholesterol testing, along with HDL, LDL and triglyceride testing is called the lipoprotein profile.

Cholesterol testing is done several times a year for individuals who are on a prescribed diet and for those who are taking cholesterol lowering medications.

Usually blood samples are drawn from the arm. Sometimes blood samples are taken from the fingertip. The samples are analyzed by a cholesterol testing device. Cholesterol tests are used to monitor the progress in lowering the cholesterol level.

Test results are grouped in three types:

* Desirable – the cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL below is regarded to be desirable because it has a low risk of heart disease.

* Borderline high – a total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL to 240 mg/dL is at fair risk of having heart disease. Your doctor may decide to give you have a lipid profile in order to determine which cholesterol level is high.
* High Risk – a 240 mg/dL cholesterol level is considered to be at high risk of heart disease. Expect a lipid profiling if your cholesterol level is this high. It is more likely that you will be given a cholesterol lowering medication along with a low cholesterol diet.

Cholesterol tests are usually given when the individual is healthy because the blood cholesterol level of an individual who has an acute illness, (after a heart attack or after surgery or accident) is likely to be low. Individuals are advised to wait at least six weeks after any illness before taking cholesterol tests. Pregnant women are also advised to wait six weeks before having their cholesterol level measured.

A Brief Explanation of Cholesterol Ratios:

Cholesterol ratios consist of total cholesterol. Total cholesterol includes low level lipoprotein cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol), triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HDL cholesterol).

Cholesterol is measured by milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Usually, only the total cholesterol amount is given when a person is tested for cholesterol. Sometimes you are given the HDL cholesterol and the total cholesterol results.

The desirable total cholesterol level is 200mg/dL and the beneficial amount of HDL is more than 40mg/dL.

There are two important cholesterol ratios. These they are LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratios.

In the latter cholesterol ratios, your cholesterol result is given by the total cholesterol divided by the HDL cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, the desirable amount should be below 5:1 with the optimal amount of 3.5:1 or 3.5 to 1.

The LDL/HDL is done by dividing LDL cholesterol by the HDL cholesterol. The desirable amount in this ratio should be 3.5 below. The American Heart Association recommended that physicians must use complete numbers for total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol in determining the appropriate treatment.

A normal cholesterol level as suggested by the National Institute of Health:
* total cholesterol – 200mg/dL
* LDL – 100mg/dL
* HDL (man) – 40mg/dL above
* HDL (woman) – 50mg/dL above
* Triglycerides – 150mg/dL

It is important to remember to fast the night before, prior to taking a lipid profile test (a test that profiles the HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol) the next day.

If this information was useful, visit our website The Low Cholesterol Recipe to find out more.

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Why Is Taking A Cholesterol Test Very Important

May 8, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

High cholesterol levels can be a sign of potential heart disease. High levels of HDL cholesterol can be a warning sign of hardening of arteries that can result in heart disease or a heart attack. Even though high cholesterol is a very serious and fatal condition, there are no symptoms to warn you if you are having high cholesterol levels.


To know your cholesterol levels you must take a cholesterol test. As high cholesterol levels can be life threatening, and coronary heart disease is a common occurrence when you have high levels of bad cholesterol you should get a cholesterol test regularly.


Cholesterol is made of two main types: HDL, or the good cholesterol which actually helps prevent heart disease and LDL or bad cholesterol which will clog your arteries and cause heart disease if present in high levels in your body. The right level of cholesterol should be 200mg/dl of LDL or less and at least a minimum of 40mg/dL of HDL or more.


Cholesterol test is done through a blood test that will tell you the levels of both types of cholesterol in your body. This test can be done at the hospital. There are also home test kits for cholesterol testing available. However, tests done in the hospital are more reliable and you should go to the hospital for your first cholesterol test.


If your cholesterol test result show that your bad cholesterol level is too high, your doctor can advise you on how to lower it. He will probably advise you to change your diet and do more exercise. If you cholesterol levels are very high or you have other medical condition like diabetes, he may prescribe you with cholesterol lowering medication. Most doctors recommend that anyone over the age of 20 should take a cholesterol test once every five years.


The Cholesterol Test Kit


Today there is a way to test your cholesterol levels without having to leave your home. A home cholesterol test kit can be purchased from any drug store. This home test kit consists of the tools required to conduct an accurate cholesterol test. With only a couple drops of your blood you will be able to tell the cholesterol levels present in your body in ten minutes time.


The home cholesterol test kit is FDA approved and is available over the counter for you to purchase and use when needed. It has a 97% accuracy rate and is very easy. The home cholesterol test kit cost about $25 for a pack of two test kits. Some cholesterol test kits are sold with only one test strip but the two tests package is more economical. Everyone who wants or needs to keep check their cholesterol level regularly without having to go to a hospital can use the handy cholesterol test kit.


Home Cholesterol Test Kit May Not Always Be Accurate


Although nowadays you can get all kinds of home kits for many medical problems, some of the results from the tests carried out by these kits may not be very accurate. However, the fault may not lie with the test kit itself, but it may lie in the way it is used. The home cholesterol test kit too seldom gives accurate results because it is usually administered wrongly.


That is the reason why doctors do not like to rely on the results of home cholesterol test. If you go for treatment for high cholesterol level, your doctor will ask you to take another test from the lab. The doctor will only proceed with treatment after they get the lab tests results.


The home cholesterol test kit may be useful if you can get your a physician to administer it for you. This is so that after the test is done, he can interpret the results for you. This is why it is better to take a lab test rather than simply buying a home cholesterol test.


Any home cholesterol test done with a home test kit should be repeated in the doctor’s lab for double confirmation, so that if your cholesterol home test results are actually not accurate, you will know it before you undergo any form of cholesterol lowering treatment.


If you do prefer a home cholesterol test kit than going to the hospital for a cholesterol test, you should still consult your doctor and have the test repeated before taking any form of drugs or medications.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit Cholesterol Lowering Food to learn more about home cholesterol test and high cholesterol symptom.

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The Importance Of Taking A Cholesterol Test

January 21, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

High cholesterol levels can be a sign of potential heart disease. High levels of HDL cholesterol can be a warning sign of hardening of arteries that can result in heart disease or a heart attack. Even though high cholesterol is a very serious and fatal condition, there are no symptoms to warn you if you are having high cholesterol levels.

To know your cholesterol levels you must take a cholesterol test. As high cholesterol levels can be life threatening, and coronary heart disease is a common occurrence when you have high levels of bad cholesterol you should get a cholesterol test regularly.

Cholesterol is made of two main types: HDL, or the good cholesterol which actually helps prevent heart disease and LDL or bad cholesterol which will clog your arteries and cause heart disease if present in high levels in your body. The right level of cholesterol should be 200mg/dl of LDL or less and at least a minimum of 40mg/dL of HDL or more.

Cholesterol test is done through a blood test that will tell you the levels of both types of cholesterol in your body. This test can be done at the hospital. There are also home test kits for cholesterol testing available. However, tests done in the hospital are more reliable and you should go to the hospital for your first cholesterol test.

If your cholesterol test result show that your bad cholesterol level is too high, your doctor can advise you on how to lower it. He will probably advise you to change your diet and do more exercise. If you cholesterol levels are very high or you have other medical condition like diabetes, he may prescribe you with cholesterol lowering medication. Most doctors recommend that anyone over the age of 20 should take a cholesterol test once every five years.

The Cholesterol Test Kit

Today there is a way to test your cholesterol levels without having to leave your home. A home cholesterol test kit can be purchased from any drug store. This home test kit consists of the tools required to conduct an accurate cholesterol test. With only a couple drops of your blood you will be able to tell the cholesterol levels present in your body in ten minutes time.

The home cholesterol test kit is FDA approved and is available over the counter for you to purchase and use when needed. It has a 97% accuracy rate and is very easy. The home cholesterol test kit cost about $25 for a pack of two test kits. Some cholesterol test kits are sold with only one test strip but the two tests package is more economical. Everyone who wants or needs to keep check their cholesterol level regularly without having to go to a hospital can use the handy cholesterol test kit.

Home Cholesterol Test Kit May Not Always Be Accurate

Although nowadays you can get all kinds of home kits for many medical problems, some of the results from the tests carried out by these kits may not be very accurate. However, the fault may not lie with the test kit itself, but it may lie in the way it is used. The home cholesterol test kit too seldom gives accurate results because it is usually administered wrongly.

That is the reason why doctors do not like to rely on the results of home cholesterol test. If you go for treatment for high cholesterol level, your doctor will ask you to take another test from the lab. The doctor will only proceed with treatment after they get the lab tests results.

The home cholesterol test kit may be useful if you can get your a physician to administer it for you. This is so that after the test is done, he can interpret the results for you. This is why it is better to take a lab test rather than simply buying a home cholesterol test.

Any home cholesterol test done with a home test kit should be repeated in the doctor’s lab for double confirmation, so that if your cholesterol home test results are actually not accurate, you will know it before you undergo any form of cholesterol lowering treatment.

If you do prefer a home cholesterol test kit than going to the hospital for a cholesterol test, you should still consult your doctor and have the test repeated before taking any form of drugs or medications.

Author: Cindy Heller
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty

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