| Cholesterol is a waxy substance that the body | | | | * Untrimmed fatty meats and organ meats. |
| needs to function normally. Your body uses | | | | * Processed meats such as Bologna, hot dogs, |
| cholesterol to produce certain hormones and | | | | salami and sausage. |
| make vitamin D. It also produces bile acids that | | | | * Bakery goods made with saturated fats and |
| digest fat. But your body only needs a small | | | | egg yolks. |
| amount of cholesterol to perform these functions. | | | | * Coconut oils, palm oils and palm kernal oil which |
| Too much cholesterol in your bloodstream will | | | | are saturated fats. |
| start to adhere to the artery walls and form | | | | * Solid fats such as shortening, partially |
| blockages. These blockages are the cause of | | | | hydrogenated margarine and lard. |
| heart attacks and strokes. | | | | * Fried foods. |
| It is important that you keep your cholesterol at | | | | Lowering cholesterol does not mean that you cut |
| a healthy level. While high cholesterol can be | | | | out all the fats. You just exchange them. The |
| hereditary, a lot of our cholesterol problems come | | | | above guidelines should help you determine how |
| from the food we eat and lack of exercise. | | | | to do this. |
| The best way to lower your cholesterol is to lose | | | | There is a lot of focus on cutting back on the |
| weight. Being overweight interrupts the bodys | | | | fats in the food we eat but did you know that |
| metabolism causing the body to hang onto too | | | | there are beverages that can help lower |
| much fat. Following a low fat, low cholesterol diet | | | | cholesterol? Studies have shown that green tea |
| and getting more exercise will help you lose | | | | has a lot of powerful antioxidants that help lower |
| weight and lower your cholesterol. | | | | cholesterol and can even lower blood pressure. |
| Here is a guide on what foods to eat and what | | | | Orange juice contains folic acids that help lower |
| foods to limit: | | | | homocysteine levels in the body. High |
| Food you should eat:- | | | | homocysteine levels can cause cholesterol to |
| * 5 servings per day of a variety of fruits and | | | | change into oxidized low density lipoprotein which |
| vegetables. | | | | can damage the arteries. It can also make blood |
| * 6 servings per day of whole grain breads, rice | | | | clot easier and increase the risk of blockages. |
| and pasta. Oatmeal is especially beneficial. | | | | Grape juice is loaded with certain antioxidants that |
| * 2 to 4 servings of fat free or low fat milk | | | | help prevent red blood cells from clumping |
| products. | | | | together to form clots. |
| * 6 ounces of lean meats or skinless poultry per | | | | Research has proven that having 1 to 3 ounces |
| day. | | | | of wine a day can lower your risk of heart |
| * Beans and peas. | | | | attack. But do not drink it if you have an alcohol |
| * Nuts and seeds in limited amounts. | | | | dependency problem or high blood pressure. |
| * Unsaturated vegetable oils. But limit the amount | | | | Keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level takes |
| of margarine and spreads made from them. | | | | some effort on your part. Lose weight, exercise, |
| Foods to Limit:- | | | | quit smoking and eat healthily. This may seem like |
| * Whole milk, creams and ice cream. | | | | a lot to some but you only have one heart. It is |
| * Butter, egg yolks and cheese. | | | | your responsibility to take good care of it. |