Cholesterol is a fatty lipid, steroid and an alcohol found in the body tissues and blood plasma of vertebrates. It is the cardinal part of the outer membranes of human body cells and it circulates in the blood of humans. Cholesterol in the human body comes from two major sources - diet, and the liver, where it is produced internally.
High cholesterol in the blood is considered to be unhealthy. The cholesterol levels in the bloodstream can influence the pathogenesis of certain conditions, such as the development of atherosclerotic plaque and coronary artery disease. It gets collected on the walls of arteries and interferes with the flow of blood. This buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessels may constrict the passages considerably and inhibit the flow of blood to and from the heart.
Recent researches have revealed that the abundance of protein complexes, called lipoproteins are responsible for the cholesterol build-up in the blood vessels. Elevated levels of bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein or LDL), are responsible for heart disease.
Cholesterol in your diet:
A high cholesterol diet is considered an unwholesome diet. Diets which are rich in animal fats, meat, poultry, fish, oils, egg yolks and dairy products, are a rich source of cholesterol. Organ meats, such as liver, are extremely rich in cholesterol. A diet high in cholesterol is fatal for the heart.
Healthy diets are considered effective to lower cholesterol. A low cholesterol diet contains extremely low or no cholesterol at all. Diets of plant origin are the best low cholesterol diets.
Fat is the major source of energy for the body, but excessive fat in the diet is dangerous. The excess fat raises blood cholesterol levels. It's bad for the circulatory system and causes heart attack or stroke. The amount of fat and cholesterol in a diet should just be according to the daily calories required by the body. Thus a perfectly balanced diet is considered a healthy diet.
A perfect low cholesterol diet has the following features:
• It's low in fat (especially saturated fat).
• It contains low cholesterol.
• It contains low sodium contents.
• It's rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates.
• It's usually a low calorie diet.
Besides taking low cholesterol diets, sugar and alcohol consumption should also be reduced, as they contribute to high cholesterol levels.
Avoid eating at fast food restaurants, because fast foods are usually high in fats and sodium.
Regular exercise can also reduce cholesterol levels.
Recent studies have revealed that certain deep-sea fish -- mackerel, salmon, herring, albacore tuna, and lake trout -- contain an oil called Omega-3 fatty acid that may help to lower blood cholesterol.
Showing posts with label blood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blood. Show all posts
The Best Diet For High Blood Pressure
If your nurse or doctor measures your blood pressure at 140/90 then you suffer from hypertension. Many adults and even some children have high blood pressure. It is very important to get proper treatment to control your high blood pressure. Diet for high blood pressure patients has to be healthy since along with medications and exercises a balanced diet can equally help in keeping your blood pressure under control.
Following a diet for high blood pressure also reduces or prevents clogged arteries, increases in cholesterol, cancer and also reduces weight. The ideal diet for high blood pressure patients should include low fat or fat free products and should definitely exclude animal fats, red meat, sugary products, and sweets. Surveys show that high potassium and low sodium content in fruits and vegetables help in regulating the blood pressure level.
The diet for high blood pressure is best when it doesn't contain high amount of salt or sodium. Many people might think salt-less food might be flavorless. To add flavor to the diet for high blood pressure you can add spices to the food instead of salt.
There are certain tips for your diet for high blood pressure that you can follow such as, rinse canned food in order to rinse off sodium. Instead, buy frozen salt free vegetables, which don't contain much salt or sodium and restrict your intake of cured meat, ham bacon, pickles, olives, mustard, ketchup, and Soy sauce in your diet for high blood pressure.
It is obvious that diet affects blood pressure level. Therefore, it is very important that you maintain a proper, healthy, and balanced diet for high blood pressure.
The most important thing that you should avoid in your diet for high blood pressure is salt. Intake of salt for hypertension patients can be harmful as it just accentuates the problem. You can lower your blood pressure to a great extent if you cut down salt consumption in your diet for high blood pressure. You should not have more than 6 grams of salt per day. You must cut down on pizza, frozen diners, canned food, broths, canned soups and salad dressings since these have high sodium content in them. If you are non-vegetarian then make sure you are including fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat in your diet.
In order to avoid salt in your diet you must avoid junk food as well. If there is a mineral imbalance in your diet then it might have an adverse effect on your health condition. Maintaining a healthy diet can work wonders. It can help you to reduce your blood pressure within a period of two weeks.
If you are suffering from high blood pressure you should consult your primary care physician for advice prior to making any changes to your diet.
Following a diet for high blood pressure also reduces or prevents clogged arteries, increases in cholesterol, cancer and also reduces weight. The ideal diet for high blood pressure patients should include low fat or fat free products and should definitely exclude animal fats, red meat, sugary products, and sweets. Surveys show that high potassium and low sodium content in fruits and vegetables help in regulating the blood pressure level.
The diet for high blood pressure is best when it doesn't contain high amount of salt or sodium. Many people might think salt-less food might be flavorless. To add flavor to the diet for high blood pressure you can add spices to the food instead of salt.
There are certain tips for your diet for high blood pressure that you can follow such as, rinse canned food in order to rinse off sodium. Instead, buy frozen salt free vegetables, which don't contain much salt or sodium and restrict your intake of cured meat, ham bacon, pickles, olives, mustard, ketchup, and Soy sauce in your diet for high blood pressure.
It is obvious that diet affects blood pressure level. Therefore, it is very important that you maintain a proper, healthy, and balanced diet for high blood pressure.
The most important thing that you should avoid in your diet for high blood pressure is salt. Intake of salt for hypertension patients can be harmful as it just accentuates the problem. You can lower your blood pressure to a great extent if you cut down salt consumption in your diet for high blood pressure. You should not have more than 6 grams of salt per day. You must cut down on pizza, frozen diners, canned food, broths, canned soups and salad dressings since these have high sodium content in them. If you are non-vegetarian then make sure you are including fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat in your diet.
In order to avoid salt in your diet you must avoid junk food as well. If there is a mineral imbalance in your diet then it might have an adverse effect on your health condition. Maintaining a healthy diet can work wonders. It can help you to reduce your blood pressure within a period of two weeks.
If you are suffering from high blood pressure you should consult your primary care physician for advice prior to making any changes to your diet.
High Blood Pressure Diet It Could Save You
One of the main causes for deaths in United States is diseases of the heart and blood vessels. People with hypertension, or high blood pressure, are the ones more likely to develop these diseases. Thus, it is most important to try and lower the elevated blood pressure.
Hypertension is incurable in most normal cases. However a successfully managed lifestyle along with proper medication could help you fight the disease. The main part consists in reducing the amount of sodium in your diet which helps to bring blood pressure levels down.
Changes in the diet
If food is appropriately selected a diet for high blood pressure can be varied and adequate in all nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.
The function of Sodium
Sodium is an essential mineral for good health. While an average American adult consumes 4,000 to 6,000 milligrams of sodium daily, the recommended daily limit for the general public is only 2,400 milligrams. A person with high blood pressure should consult a doctor to see how much sodium should be consumed daily. Normally, 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams (2 to 3 grams) is enough.
The most common dietary source of sodium is salt. Sodium is one of two minerals that constitute salt (the other is chloride). One teaspoon of salt contains an enormous 2,300 milligrams of sodium and you can imagine an entire day's sodium consumption! This is not all; sodium is also "hidden" in your diet in other foods. The processed and packaged foods also contain sodium in varying amounts.
The Must Do's
ท Read all food labels - Most sodium in the diet comes from processed foods. This makes it important for you to check the nutrition facts label for sodium content. Try to select only foods which are labeled as low-sodium, very low sodium, or salt-free, and keep away from products with high sodium content. Baked goods made with baking powder or baking soda can also be high in sodium.
ท Reduce consumption of high-sodium processed foods - These products would include cured and smoked meats, and some pre-packaged, frozen and canned foods, most soups, and condiments.
ท Beware of salt substitutes- you must keep in mind that not all salt substitutes are sodium-free. Read the labels, and if you take medication for your blood pressure, consult your doctor before using a salt substitute.
ท Eat sufficient amounts of potassium-rich foods- Like sodium; potassium is a mineral essential for good health. It works with sodium to regulate blood pressure. Studies have proved that people who consume more potassium have lower blood pressures than those who consume less.
Thus to bring your blood pressure to the normal level you must consume adequate quantity of potassium. Rich sources of potassium includes fruits, such as cantaloupe, bananas, watermelon, oranges and orange juice, as also potatoes, spinach, and zucchini.
Hypertension is incurable in most normal cases. However a successfully managed lifestyle along with proper medication could help you fight the disease. The main part consists in reducing the amount of sodium in your diet which helps to bring blood pressure levels down.
Changes in the diet
If food is appropriately selected a diet for high blood pressure can be varied and adequate in all nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.
The function of Sodium
Sodium is an essential mineral for good health. While an average American adult consumes 4,000 to 6,000 milligrams of sodium daily, the recommended daily limit for the general public is only 2,400 milligrams. A person with high blood pressure should consult a doctor to see how much sodium should be consumed daily. Normally, 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams (2 to 3 grams) is enough.
The most common dietary source of sodium is salt. Sodium is one of two minerals that constitute salt (the other is chloride). One teaspoon of salt contains an enormous 2,300 milligrams of sodium and you can imagine an entire day's sodium consumption! This is not all; sodium is also "hidden" in your diet in other foods. The processed and packaged foods also contain sodium in varying amounts.
The Must Do's
ท Read all food labels - Most sodium in the diet comes from processed foods. This makes it important for you to check the nutrition facts label for sodium content. Try to select only foods which are labeled as low-sodium, very low sodium, or salt-free, and keep away from products with high sodium content. Baked goods made with baking powder or baking soda can also be high in sodium.
ท Reduce consumption of high-sodium processed foods - These products would include cured and smoked meats, and some pre-packaged, frozen and canned foods, most soups, and condiments.
ท Beware of salt substitutes- you must keep in mind that not all salt substitutes are sodium-free. Read the labels, and if you take medication for your blood pressure, consult your doctor before using a salt substitute.
ท Eat sufficient amounts of potassium-rich foods- Like sodium; potassium is a mineral essential for good health. It works with sodium to regulate blood pressure. Studies have proved that people who consume more potassium have lower blood pressures than those who consume less.
Thus to bring your blood pressure to the normal level you must consume adequate quantity of potassium. Rich sources of potassium includes fruits, such as cantaloupe, bananas, watermelon, oranges and orange juice, as also potatoes, spinach, and zucchini.
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