1. Diet is the Key
Diets high in cholesterol consumption produce high levels of cholesterol in the blood system. In this case, it's literally that you are what you eat. Nutritionists recommend no more than 200 milligrams of cholesterol for men and women, yet most American diets add 220 to 360 milligrams a day. All animal meat and animal by-products such as dairy and eggs contain cholesterol. Plants contain none. For example, a tablespoon of butter contains about 34 milligrams of cholesterol and a 16-ounce steak as many at 94 milligrams. Do the math and get a salad.
2. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is another side effect of high cholesterol and the trickling effect continues until your health causes fatal result. High blood pressure leads to hypertensive heart disease. Heart disease, left untreated will lead to clogged arteries and a heart attack. While at first a heart attack can serve as a wake up call to eat better and exercise more, heart attacks eventually will kill you.
3. Choose Good Food
Saturated fat is especially egregious when it comes to cholesterol counts. You can easily recognize a saturated fat because it remains solid at room temperature. Meat fat and lard are two likely examples of heavily laden cholesterol. Saturated fat hides easily within other food and is often easy to dismiss. Whole milk and a variety of nuts have a high fat content, mixed with other fats and disguised.
4. Bad Cholesterol
Cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood stream, so the LDL form of fat can get stuck in the arteries and clog the blood flow. LDL is produced naturally in the body so you don't need to add very much to maintain good health. Most LDL cholesterol is used in food for taste anyway. Try to get the leanest cuts of meat that you can if you eat meat. No matter how much you trim the fat, you will be adding LDL. High blood pressure and LDD level are often hereditary, so if you have family history of either condition, modify your lifestyle to avoid heart complications.
5. Good Cholesterol
HDL, or good cholesterol is believed to carry the bad cholesterol away from the heart. If you have low levels of HDL, that can put you at risk for a heart attack. Monosaturated fats such as those found in olive oil, some nuts and fish are the best source for HDL cholesterol.
