Diet is so effective at lowering cholesterol that most medical professionals recommend changes in diet before prescribing medications to treat high cholesterol. The reason for this is that the majority of people with high blood cholesterol developed this condition as a result of dietary choices. By changing your diet, you eliminate those factors that often contribute to the rise of cholesterol in your bloodstream.
High Cholesterol
Though cholesterol is an important component to all cells in the body, too much of this wax-like substance can lead to hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol. There are three numbers you should be concerned with in regard to this condition: total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. According to MayoClinic.com, you're said to have high cholesterol if total cholesterol is 240 mg/dL or more. The same diagnosis is given with a reading of over 160 mg/dL for LDL cholesterol and below 40 mg/dL in men or 50 mg/dL in women for HDL cholesterol.
Effects
Abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream have a direct impact on your health. The most common complication is atherosclerosis, a condition marked by the development of plaque along the arterial walls. The more cholesterol found in the blood, the more likely it is to accumulate within the blood vessels, narrowing the arteries and restricting blood flow, explains the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. This increases your risk of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke.
Fat and Cholesterol
Limiting your intake of fat and dietary cholesterol is often helpful in combating and even reversing high blood cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends reducing your intake of saturated fat and trans fat to less than 7 percent and 1 percent of your daily caloric intake, respectively. Total fat intake should make up no more than 25 to 35 percent of your calories each day. And if you're currently suffering from high cholesterol or coronary heart disease, keep dietary cholesterol intake below 200 mg a day.
Healthier Foods
While it's important to restrict fat and cholesterol intake to lower cholesterol, another facet of your diet is the inclusion of healthier foods. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are not only rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, bettering your overall health, but they also provide plenty of fiber, a nutrient known to improve cholesterol levels. You may also benefit from eating more heart-healthy fish, such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Weight Loss
As you work to improve the healthiness of your diet, consider reducing your caloric intake and increasing your level of physical activity. Like poor dietary habits, excess weight can also contribute to high cholesterol. Losing just 5 lbs. can positively impact your cholesterol levels, asserts MayoClinic.com.
Recommendation
Before making any changes to your diet, talk to a medical professional. Your doctor may find that your cholesterol levels are too high or you're at a greater risk of developing serious health complications to use diet alone for treating high blood cholesterol. In this situation, dietary changes are used in combination with prescription medications.
