Cholesterol is a waxy-like substance that your body uses to maintain good health. High amounts of bad cholesterol can place you at a high risk for heart attack, stroke and coronary heart disease. Your liver and body cells produce large amounts of cholesterol. Cholesterol also comes from some of the food you eat. If you have high levels of bad cholesterol, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit high-cholesterol foods. Consult with your doctor about your diet.
High-Cholesterol Foods
Cholesterol comes from animal products. Reducing daily consumption of high-cholesterol animal products is the most effective dietary way of lowering the levels of cholesterol in your blood. Examples of high-cholesterol foods include whole milk, whole-milk dairy products, egg yolks, chicken skin, beef liver, butter, margarine, fatty meats, bacon and hot dogs.
Fiber
Soluble fiber may help lower high cholesterol. These fibers dissolve in bodily fluids to form a gel-like substance. Soluble fiber is found in beans, peas, oat bran, oatmeal, beans, legumes, psyllium, barley, carrots and apples. Insoluble fiber can also help lower high cholesterol. Insoluble fiber is found in raw fruits, raw vegetables, flaxseeds and nuts.
High-Fat foods
Choose foods that are low in saturated and trans-fatty acids. Foods high in fat usually contain high cholesterol. Increase intake of fats high in monosaturated fats, because they can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood. Examples of monosaturated fats include olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados, peanut butter, sunflower oil and sesame oil.
Drugs
When dietary modifications and lifestyle changes do not lower high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs. Cholesterol-lowering drugs include statins, niacin, fibric acid derivatives, bile-acid resins and cholesterol absorption inhibitors. These medications should be combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Cholesterol-lowering drugs can cause liver inflammation and damage.
