Low Cholesterol Diet

Cholesterol is a common physical condition in the United States. Records indicate that 107 million individuals, i.e., 1 in 5 adults suffer from cholesterol levels above 200mg, while nearly 38 million suffer from levels exceeding 240 mg.

Throughout the years many drugs have been developed and sold to cholesterol patients to lower their cholesterol levels. Some of the commonly prescribed drugs include Statins, Fibrates, Resins Niacin etc. Despite its effectiveness these cholesterol drugs cause many side effects. Some of the common side effects include headaches, dizziness, constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, muscle aches, sleep problems etc. In addition to these common side effects, extreme cases have also been reported by cholesterol patients. Such extreme side effects of medications can also lead to death.

Consequently more and more cholesterol patients have shown interest in undergoing a low cholesterol diet without solely depending on medications.

A low cholesterol diet can be undertaken by an individual if one focuses on their food intakes. One of the primary laws of a low cholesterol diet is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. High intakes of fruits and vegetables will not have an effect on ones cholesterol levels and therefore is highly encouraged. On the other hand reducing the level of fats and oils also plays a crucial role. It is always advised to reduce or completely avoid the intake of saturated fat. However if an individual wishes to cook with oils it is recommended to do so with health oil types such as olive oil or canola oil.

Recent studies have identified that a high intake of carbohydrate food increases cholesterol levels. For that reason when undergoing a low cholesterol diet it becomes important to avoid ingesting food items such as bread and grains. Moreover in terms of meat items, eating lean meats is vital in a low cholesterol diet. Such types of lean meats include chicken, fish or turkey. This also means avoiding red meat such as pork and beef, which can have an impact on ones’ cholesterol levels.

In addition to the above mentioned basic tips of a low cholesterol diet, there are specific types and items of food that are encouraged. Some of them include nuts such as walnuts and pistachios, avocado and seeds such as sunflower seeds.

In order to make food intakes of a low cholesterol diet more enjoyable, many authors and chefs have published recipes of diet foods. Cooking is a process that requires a high level of focus and attention when one in undergoing a low cholesterol diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy food items will be the dominating ingredients of diet recipes.

Undergoing a low cholesterol diet is not limited to cholesterol patients. In fact healthy individuals who are health conscious will also consider such low cholesterol diets. Thus when a person is undergoing cholesterol problems or is simply health conscious, a low cholesterol diet is one of the best solutions towards leading a long and healthy life.