Top 10 Foods to avoid with High Cholesterol
Our lifestyle and eating habits play an important role in our overall well being. There are many foods that need to be avoided when one is having high cholesterol. High cholesterol is the leading cause for heart and kidney failure.
Cholesterol and its importance
Cholesterol is an important substance that is made in the liver. It is a wax and fat like structure that is found in the blood and in all the cells of the body. Cholesterol is a very important substance of the human body. It is needed to fulfill the following needs of human body:
- It is needed to make the cell walls and tissues of the body.
- It is needed for making Vitamin D for the body.
- It is needed for making some type of hormones in the body.
- It is also needed for making Bile acid for the body.
All you need to know about Cholesterol level and Heart health
- Cholesterol helps in making healthy cells for our body. It is nothing but a fatty deposit in our blood vessels so when it’s level increases in the body it interrupts the blood flow thus leading to heart diseases. There are two types of cholesterol, one is Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) other is High Density Lipoprotein (HDL).
- Low Density Lipoprotein is also known as “bad cholesterol” and it makes most of the human body’s cholesterol. Its healthy level in the body is below 100 mg/dL.
- High Density Lipoprotein is also known as “good cholesterol”. Its healthy level in the body should be higher than 40 mg/dL.
- That is why it is necessary to have a regular check on your Cholesterol levels for maintaining a good heart.
Foods that should be avoided to maintain the cholesterol levels
What we eat plays an important role for the overall health of our body. Following are the foods that should be avoided to maintain the cholesterol levels:
- Red meat should be avoided.
- Processed meat and processed food should be excluded from the diet.
- Dairy products like cream, butter, cheese and milk should be avoided.
- Sweets should be avoided as it increases the fat in the blood.
- Baked food should be avoided.
- Tropical oils should be avoided. For example – palm oil and coconut oil as it contains high amounts of bad Cholesterol.
- Pressed coconut drinks should be avoided.
- Refined carbs should not be consumed.
- Sugary drinks are not considered good for overall well being.
- Cakes and pastries.
Foods to maintain the cholesterol levels
There are various foods that are helpful in maintaining cholesterol levels and are heart healthy. Following are the cholesterol friendly foods:
- Spinach and other green vegetables.
- Dry Fruits like walnuts and almonds.
- Fruits like apples, oranges, grapes, etc.
- Berries like strawberries, blueberries, etc.
- Oats, brown rice, popcorn, wheat bread.
- High fiber foods like pulses, etc.
- Sweet potatoes, beans, broccoli.
- Some oils are very healthy for the heart such as canola oil, olive oil, seed oil, etc.
- Oily fish is also considered to be cholesterol friendly.
- Poultry products.
Understanding the causes of High Cholesterol levels
There are various health conditions that occur due to high levels of cholesterol in the blood vessels. Also, following are the reasons of high Cholesterol levels in the blood:
- Having a lot of stress can lead to High cholesterol levels.
- Consuming Alcohol on a daily basis affects cholesterol levels.
- Smoking is also the leading cause for high cholesterol levels.
- Ignoring physical activities like exercise, running, walking, etc.
- Following an unhealthy diet and eating a lot of junk food.
Warning Signs of High Cholesterol levels that cannot be overlook
Our body gives us warning that something is not good. These are the following warning signs that our body gives when we are having an imbalance in cholesterol levels:
- Having constant pain in the lower side of the legs.
- Feeling dizzy.
- Start having a slurred speech.
- Feeling pain and pressure on one side of the heart.
- A sense of extreme fatigue.
- Feeling numb.
- High Blood Pressure.
- Not able to breathe properly.
- Changes in the skin color.
- Developing ulcers in the feet.
Conclusion
Maintaining the cholesterol level is necessary for the overall health of an individual. It can easily be maintained by opting a healthy lifestyle and changing your day to day eating habits. Eating proper foods like brown rice, high fiber food, oats, etc can help a lot. By simply being proactive one can easily manage their cholesterol levels.