Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 1
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol carries mostly cholesterol, some protein, and minimal triglycerides throughout your circulation.
LDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as the “bad” cholesterol because it’s deposited along artery walls and if it becomes oxidized it will form a plaque eventually leading to blockage of your arteries. For this reason, physicians like to see low LDL levels. The American Heart Association recommends LDL cholesterol be below 130 mg/dl and ideally less than 100 mg/dl.
Here is the first of four options for lower LDL cholesterol diet:
Unsaturated Fats
To lower LDL levels evaluate your diet for saturated and trans fats. You want to replace saturated and trans fats with heart healthy unsaturated fats, such as omega 3 fatty acids.
Saturated fat intake should be limited to less than 7% of your total daily calories.
Sources include meat, milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, lard, shortening, hydrogenated vegetable fat, palm oil, and coconut oil.
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 2
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
The Great Cholesterol Lie – Dr. Lundell
Dr. Lundell is a heart surgeon who wrote the book The Great Cholesterol Lie. In the book he discusses the effect of statin medication on cholesterol levels. He’s against the use of statin medication. I’ve put together an email series of four articles written by Dr. Lundell. They cover the following topics:
- The Tragic Cholesterol Theory
- Cardiac Surgeon Admits Mistake
- The Great Statin Scam
- Crestor Study, JUPITER Results Hardly Exciting
If you are considering statin medications or currently take statin meds, I recommend you learn more about what Dr. Lundell has to share.
You can use the form below to access the article series or go to https://www.lisanelsonrd.com/lundell.html to sign-up.
The Great Cholesterol Lie – Instant Article Series and [Heart Health] Access
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*PRIVACY POLICY– Your Email Is Safe With Me I will never sell, rent, or trade your email. I hate spam, too! |
Lower Cholesterol – How do I increase HDL cholesterol?
Finally, you want more of something instead of less! HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is also known as the “good” cholesterol. HDL removes cholesterol from your bloodstream and carries it back to the liver. I like to think of HDL as a vacuum cleaner, picking up cholesterol LDL leaves behind in your arteries. HDL should be greater than 40 mg/dL, ideally greater than 60 mg/dL.
Physical Activity
One of the best ways to increase your HDL is through physical activity, specifically aerobic activity (jogging, swimming, biking). For results, you need at least 120 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. In this case, vigorous activity does not have more of an impact, but duration does. The longer you work out the greater them impact on HDL. Work your way up to a minimum of 30 minutes 4 days/week. If you’re not currently physically active, consult your MD before starting an exercise program.
Saturated and Trans Fats
Limiting unhealthy fats will also impact HDL, so look at your saturated fat and trans fat intake and see where you can make cuts. Your total fat intake for the day should be limited to 30% of your daily calories. Of this 30%, only 10% should be from saturated fat and ideally zero from trans fats. To attain these levels you’ll need to select healthy choices when dining out, read food labels, select healthy fats when cooking, select lean cuts of meat, etc.
Omega 3’s
Selecting healthy fats, such as omega 3’s, will raise HDL while lowering LDL. Incorporating healthy omega 3 fatty acids will also improve your total cholesterol to HDL ratio. Also, look for sources rich in omega 3 fatty acids you can add to your diet, such as fish and ground flaxseed..
Dietary Fiber
A high fiber diet does not directly boost HDL levels. However, a high fiber diet plays a role in lowering LDL cholesterol. As LDL is lowered, your Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio improves. For the greatest impact, eat a diet especially rich in soluble fiber and select whole grain products, fruits, and vegetables daily.
Alcohol
Alcohol plays a role in raising HDL levels also. I’m not a big advocate of using alcohol to raise HDL, so if you already consume alcohol 1-2 drinks per day can raise levels. More than 1-2 drinks per day will increase your health problems. If you do not drink, do not start.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
Flaxseed and cholesterol – 3 Ways to Use Flax to Reduce Heart Disease
Flaxseed is a great diet addition if you are looking to reduce your risk for heart disease. Flaxseed is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, and phytochemical lignans.
Flax is an option for individuals that dislike fish, but want to boost their intake of omega 3 fatty acids which are known to decrease heart disease risk by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Also, the fiber content makes meals “heavier” so you feel full longer, decreasing your likelihood to overeat. The fiber also promotes a lower LDL cholesterol level. Flaxseed lignans have been linked to cancer protection.
Aim for adding 1 teaspoon of flax oil to your diet each day or 1 tablespoon of milled flax. Adding flax to your diet is very simple. Here are a few options:
1. Flaxseed must be ground in order for your body to utilize the omega 3 fatty acids within, so buy your flaxseed ground and add to cereal, yogurt, salads, baked goods, and hot dishes. You are able to grind whole flaxseed with a coffee grinder or blender. Be sure to keep ground flaxseed refrigerated!
2. Flax oil can be used as part of a salad dressing or in recipes that call for oil. Flax oil contains the beneficial omega 3’s, but no fiber.
3. Use flaxseed as a recipe substitute for fat and eggs. Substitute 3 tablespoons ground flax for 1 tablespoon butter, shortening, or vegetable oil. To use flax in place of eggs, mix 1 tablespoon ground flax with 3 tablespoons water and let mixture set until gel like (1-2 minutes). Use mixture in place of 1 egg.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
Heart Disease and Trans Fats – Are you among the 20%?
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that most American’s know they need to avoid trans fats, but only 20% actually knew which foods contained trans fats.
Trans fat is a processed fat, produced as a by-product when hydrogen is added to make a substance more solid at room temperature. For example, margarine is hydrogenated vegetable oil – hydrogen was added and the by-product trans fat is produced. Although, it should be noted that many margarine’s have changed production procedures so the trans fatty acid by-product is not produced. Trans fats are just as bad for heart health (if not worse) than saturated fats. Trans fat increased LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lowers HDL (good) cholesterol.
Trans fats, also known as hydrogenated oils, are artificially produced in the laboratory by adding extra hydrogen atoms to unsaturated vegetable oils. They have long been a favorite of the food industry for their increased shelf life over conventional oils. Unlike natural fats, however, trans fats have no nutritional value and drastically increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Like saturated fats, they increase the body’s levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, but unlike those fats they also lower its levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
Many processed foods contain trans fat, such as baked and fried foods, so read the food labels. As of January 2006, most manufacturers are required to list trans fatty acid content on the food label. Also, check the ingredient list for the words “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” as a sign that the product contains trans fat.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Be Heart Healthy and Lose Weight
Worksite Wellness Programs – Does your employer influence your choices?
Right now there are a number of federal rules that limit what employers and insurers can do to encourage and reward healthy behavior, such as being physically active, losing weight, and smoking cessation.
President Obama has outlined 8 principles for health legislation that will make it easier for employers to provide worksite wellness and prevention programs, such as tax credits and other subsidies. The goals of worksite wellness programs would be to promote heart health, decrease obesity, manage diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.
Some proposals provide periodic screenings for health problems and others include counseling focused on healthier lifestyles. By becoming healthier, employees will reduce health care costs and productivity increases. Rewards for achieving a healthier lifestyle may include financial incentives, such as gift certificates and cash rewards. Some insurers already reward employees with lower health insurance premiums.
Of course, there’s always going to be the “other side of the coin” as some criticize the plan, saying employers will be prying too much into employee’s personal lives.
What do you think? Would a good worksite wellness program influence you to take action to live a healthier life?
One option to achieve a healthy worksite is by incorporating the Worksite Wellness Programs available to you.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
