Foods That Lower Ldl And Total Cholesterol
As cholesterol is not soluble in blood it needs proteins to act as a transport when in the blood stream. Cholesterol is bound to protein along with other fats to form what is known as lipoproteins.
There are various types of lipoproteins that are defined by the amount of cholesterol and protein. Ldl or low density lipoprotein is high in cholesterol and low in protein. It is often termed bad cholesterol because of this. It is responsible for transporting cholesterol throughout the body from the liver. In this way it comes into contact with the arteries and can lead to cholesterol sticking on the artery walls and cause atherosclerosis. Another form of lipoprotein that is considered to be bad is very low density lipoprotein or Vldl. Vldl are responsible for transporting triglycerides throughout the body.
High density lipoprotein (HDL) is referred to as good cholesterol because it is high in proteins and low in cholesterol. It tends to combine with cholesterol as it returns to the liver. At the liver, cholesterol is excreted. Thus good cholesterol is good because it reduces cholesterol in the body. Total cholesterol is the sum of all these types of cholesterol thus it is not always good to lower total cholesterol. The aim of any food plan is to lower ldl and increase hdl cholesterol. This article will discuss foods that lower ldl and total cholesterol in this context.
Plant sterols are plant equivalents of animal cholesterol. When added to a diet they compete with cholesterol when being absorbed into the intestine. In this respect they prevent cholesterol being absorbed and lower the total amount of cholesterol. Plant sterols are often added to foods like margarines, yogurts and cereals. It is claimed that a person can reduce cholesterol by up to 15 % by eating foods with plant sterols added.
Oatmeal is another foodstuff that can reduce cholesterol. Oatmeal is known as a soluble fiber. When added with water it becomes a sticky paste. Once in the digestive tract the sticky paste travels slowly because of it's consistency. During this process it attaches to bile acids that contain LDL cholesterol. As oatmeal is fiber it passes to the colon and is eventually excreted as waste. The LDL cholesterol goes with it thus reducing cholesterol in the body. All types of food that act as soluble fiber good for lowering cholesterol.
Replacing foods high in saturated and trans fats with fresh food, like fruit and vegetables, is important in lowering cholesterol. Saturated and trans fats are key ti increasing ldl cholesterol in the body. By avoiding these foods like potato chips, cakes, biscuits and many processed foods you can start to lower your cholesterol. Check food labels when doing your grocery shopping and avoid products high in these types of fats.
Eating a diet that is low in cholesterol is the best option in the long term. Foods that lower ldl and total cholesterol are no use if your diet continues to be high in fat content and gives you more calories than your body needs.
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