subject: Cholesterol And Diet [print this page] The amount of cholesterol that is present in food is usually relatively small and contributes little to the levels of cholesterol in the body. It is in fact the saturated fat in food that causes high levels of cholesterol in the body since this fat will be converted into cholesterol after it has been eaten. Most of the cholesterol that is found in the body has been produced there, usually from saturated fats. A high fat diet is, therefore, a risk factor for high cholesterol.
Eating a healthy, low fat diet can help prevent cholesterol levels from becoming too high. Such a diet can even help reduce the amount of cholesterol in the body. It is important to eat well in order to prevent high cholesterol because it can be very harmful, and it may lead to serious cardiovascular problems. It is common for people living in the West to have high cholesterol due to the prevalence of high fat diets.
Cholesterol is present in food. It is present in particularly high levels in foods such as kidney, liver and eggs, as well as in prawns and some other types of seafood. However, the cholesterol that is consumed in these foods does not make a significant contribution to the amount of cholesterol that is present in the body. In the past, people were advised to limit their intake of eggs because of the large amounts of cholesterol that they contain, but it is now believed that eating cholesterol is not the cause of high cholesterol levels.
Eating a lot of saturated fats is likely to result in high cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are converted by the body into cholesterol. Foods that are high in saturated fats include butter and some types of cooking oil. Sunflower and olive oil are good alternatives that are low in saturated fats. It is also advisable to choose lean meat and to trim off the fat. Removing the skin from chicken and other types of poultry can also help to reduce the amount of saturated fats that are being consumed. Drinking skim milk or half-and-half can also help reduce the amount of saturated fat in the diet.
A healthy diet that will help to prevent high cholesterol should contain plenty of fiber. Eating oily fish can be beneficial since the omega-3 fats that these fish contain can help to keep the heart healthy and to lower the levels of triglycerides in the blood. Some foods are promoted as being able to help keep cholesterol levels low. There is some evidence that these types of foods, which include spreads, soft cheeses and yogurts can help to lower cholesterol levels.
A diet high in saturated fats is a common cause of high cholesterol, but it is not the only possible cause. Some people suffer from inherited diseases that can result in high cholesterol, however healthy their diet may be.
