The heart is a muscle. Although it is no bigger than the size of your fist, it has a large task, pumping blood to the entire body. If the arteries become clogged with plaque due to high cholesterol, this process is threatened and a heart attack or stroke can occur. The low cholesterol diet is used as a lifestyle modification when you are at risk of plaque formation.
Function
Your total cholesterol is based off of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). According to the American Heart Association, your desired LDL level should be less than 100 mg/dl, your desired HDL level should be higher than 60 mg/dl and your desired total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dl. The main objective with the low cholesterol diet is to get the numbers back down into the normal rage. It is also often used in conjunction with medication and regular exercise.
Features
The TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Change) diet was originally set up as part of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). It is a set of dietary guidelines to lower cholesterol that has since been promoted by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. With this guidelines, daily intake of saturated fat should be 7 percent or less, total daily fat intake should be kept between 25 percent and 35 percent, cholesterol should be 200 mg or less per day and sodium should be kept to 2400 mg per day or less.
Types
In keeping with the TLC guidelines, the bulk of the diet should consist of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains. Cold water fish like salmon and mackerel have omega-3 fats in them and they should be used in place of high fat meats. Eggs are a food of growing debate. The whites of the eggs are fine, but the yolks should be kept to no more than two per week.
Multiple Meals
Meal timing can also play a role in the low cholesterol diet. According to the Cleveland Clinic, eating six meals a day can help lower your LDL levels. These meals should be spaced two three hours a apart and they should contain a quality source of protein and complex carbs. Oatmeal made with low-fat milk and topped with ground flax seed and berries is an early day meal example. As a side benefit of eating small meals throughout the day, you can also promote weight loss by having an increased metabolism.
Identification
Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fat, which is beneficial to heart health. According to the Mayo Clinic, olive oil contains a potent mix of antioxidants that can lower your LDL cholesterol but leave your HDL cholesterol untouched. In order to reap the benefits from this oil, you should aim for 2 tablespoons a day. This can be achieved by adding it into your salads, sauteing vegetables in it or can using it as a dip for bread.
Theories/Speculation
A lot of people like to supplement their diets with alternative formulas when they are following a low cholesterol diet. Garlic, barley, artichoke, blond psyllium and red yeast rice are examples of these. Although these supplements might be beneficial, their efficacy has not been proven and they should be used with caution.
