Cholesterol in Food – Good or Bad?
I’ve been asked this question several times and want to take a moment to explain how the cholesterol found in foods relates to your blood cholesterol levels.
Dietary Cholesterol
Cholesterol is found in animal products, such as cheese, steak, and eggs. You will not find cholesterol from plant sources. The cholesterol in foods is simply “dietary cholesterol”. It is neither “good” nor “bad”. When you consume a food containing cholesterol the different components of the food are processed by the body. The liver packages the dietary cholesterol into low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This is where the labels “good” and “bad” come into play. (FYI – There are other packages, such as very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, but for simplicity we’ll stick with LDL and HDL.)
Cholesterol – Good versus Bad
The label given to LDL cholesterol of “bad” and HDL “good” cholesterol tends to be misunderstood.
“Good” and “Bad” Cholesterol
LDL cholesterols potential for oxidation which leads to the development of arterial plaque has given it the rap of being “bad”. While HDL cholesterol contains more protein and tends to pick up cholesterol dropped throughout your arteries and returns it to the liver giving it the role of being “good”.
However, I think it’s very important for you to realize that there are “good” and “bad” forms of LDL cholesterol and “good” and “bad” forms of HDL cholesterol.
Health Care Reform – Healthy Aging Program and Child Obesity Program
Here’s a few details on how the Health Care Reform Bill impacts the Healthy Aging Program and funds the Child Obesity Demonstration Project.
Healthy Aging: Preventive Services for Adults 55-64
A grant program for state and local health departments and Indian tribes will be established. The grant will be used to provide public health interventions, preventive screenings, and referral/treatment for chronic diseases for individuals 55-64 years-old. Some of the intervention activities include improved nutrition and increased physical activity levels.
Child Obesity Demonstration Project
The Child Obesity Demonstration Project will be fully funded with $25 million. The goal of the project will be to reduce childhood obesity in community-based settings, including schools. The project will provide education, counseling and training activities.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips
http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com
Lower LDL Cholesterol with Pistachios
I think it’s fairly well known that walnuts provide some heart health benefits, but were you aware pistachio’s can be a good choice as well?
Pistachios are a good source of many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of pistachios provides:
170 calories
6 grams protein
2.9 grams fiber
73.4 mg omega 3 fatty acids
59.9 mg phytosterols
Pistachios are also a good source of copper, manganese, vitamin B6, thiamin, magnesium, and phosphorous. They also provide lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids associated with a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration.
But, how do pistachios positively impact cholesterol and heart health?
Sex, Lies, and Cholesterol
Dr. Ryan Bentley, president of The Wellness Prescription, is one of the featured experts for the teleseries intensive Conversations with the Masters of Healing starting next week!
Dr. Ryan Bentley will be sharing:
- Why cholesterol may NOT be the culprit of heart disease as previously thought,
- The reason statins are being implicated for a number of serious side effects,
- What’s the connection between sexual dysfunction and low cholesterol, and
- Using functional medicine to diagnose heart disease and treat the whole person versus just a symptom.
Register for this call with Dr. Bentley HERE
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How to Have a Heart Healthy 4th of July
The 4th of July is just around the corner, which for many of us means BBQ time!
Here are some healthy barbeque ideas so you avoid sabotaging your heart healthy diet:
1. Talk more than you chew.
You don’t have to have a loaded plate to enjoy yourself. Take the time to catch up with a friend. Enjoy watching the kids play. When it’s meal time let others serve themselves first. Select a smaller plate and fill it with the healthiest options limiting foods slathered in mayo, fried, and breaded. Sit down to enjoy the food versus mindlessly eating while standing around the buffet table.
2. Sip smart.
