Cholesterol is necessary for a healthy body to function properly; however eating a high-cholesterol diet may cause elevated blood cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease. A low-cholesterol diet may be recommended for people at risk for heart disease. The TLC, or Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, program has been effective at helping reduce high blood cholesterol levels.
Blood Cholesterol
Cholesterol is made within the body and obtained through dietary sources; high blood cholesterol levels increase the risk for heart disease. HDL is considered the "good" cholesterol because high levels can help reduce heart disease. LDL is the "bad" cholesterol; high levels can lead to an increased risk for heart disease. The American Heart Association states that optimal blood cholesterol levels are 200 gm/dL or less for total cholesterol, 60 mg/dL or higher for HDL cholesterol and less than 100 mg/dL for LDL cholesterol.
Diet That Lowers Cholesterol
Dietary changes can help lower blood cholesterol levels. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, a diet high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can cause LDL and total cholesterol to increase; a cholesterol-lowering diet limits these nutrients. Being overweight can also increase LDL and decrease HDL cholesterol levels; therefore a reduced-calorie diet may help lower cholesterol in overweight individuals.
TLC Low-Cholesterol Diet
The TLC, or Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, Program has been shown to help lower cholesterol and is composed of three main components: diet, physical activity and weight management. The TLC diet consists of 25 to 35 percent total fat, less than 7 percent saturated fat, less than 200 mg per day dietary cholesterol, 2 g per day of plant sterols or stanols and 10 to 25 g of soluble fiber per day, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. When following the TLC diet, it's important to note that calories consumed should be limited to what is required to maintain a healthy weight.
Foods Low in Cholesterol
Low-cholesterol foods are typically also low in saturated fat and come from plant food sources. Foods that are low in cholesterol include fruits, vegetables, grain products, lean meats, fish, legumes, fat-free and low-fat milk products, unsaturated vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, according to the American Heart Association.
Foods to Limit
Limiting foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat can help lower blood cholesterol levels. Such foods include animal products, such as whole milk, butter, cheese, egg yolks, lard and high-fat meats. Plant food sources high in saturated fat include coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, shortening and hydrogenated margarine, according to the American Heart Association.
