Lower Cholesterol with 3 Diet Shifts
Dietary changes can result in lower cholesterol levels. By making dietary changes to promote lower cholesterol levels you’ll be able to work with your doctor to gradually wean off medication and eliminate negative medication side effects. And the diet changes don’t have to be hard!
Here are three examples of simple diet shifts that will promote a lower cholesterol.
Diet Shift #1 – Replace eggs & bacon with oatmeal & fruit.
If your standard breakfast consists of cholesterol laden fried eggs and a side of fat (okay, bacon) swap this out for a bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh berries and ground flaxseed. The whole grain oatmeal will promote lower cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, and help you feel full longer. Antioxidant rich berries will help reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol that leads to plaque build up, while flaxseed is a rich source of heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids.
Heart Disease and the B Vitamin Choline
A proposed link between the B vitamin choline and coronary artery disease is being explored. The relationship between choline and coronary artery disease (CAD) may involve the accumulation of homocysteine and the effect these concentrated homocysteine levels have on endothelial cells (inner layer of blood vessels).
Several studies indicate that homocysteine levels are a key contributor and primary risk factor for CAD. While on the flip side, several studies have shown no decreased CAD risk with a reduction in homocysteine levels.
So, the importance of choline in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease is debatable. Regardless, choline plays important roles in metabolism and normal cell function, so it’s worth knowing a little about this B vitamin.
2 Foods to Lower Cholesterol
To begin promoting lower cholesterol you want to replace these less healthy food choices with heart healthy options.
Here are 2 foods you can add to your diet to promote a lower cholesterol:
1. Atlantic Salmon
Salmon is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s have many benefits, some of which include decreased lipoprotein A, lowered triglycerides, reduced blood pressure, elevated HDL cholesterol, and decreased risk of blot clots.
Some additional sources of omega 3 include fish, ground flaxseed, and walnuts.
Why is Heart Disease Overlooked in Women?
Did you know heart disease kills a woman nearly every minute in the U.S.?
If heart disease is responsible for so many female deaths why is it still being overlooked not only by women themselves, but by their physicians as well? Heart disease is not only the number one killer of men, but it’s also the number one killer of women.
Here are a few scary statistic:
- 64% of women who diet from heart disease have no previous symptoms
- 1 in 2.6 deaths in women is due to heart disease versus 1 in 30 from breast cancer
- Heart disease kills about half a million women every year
Don’t underestimate your risk for heart disease and the importance of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. The foods you eat and your level of physical activity both play a role in your heart health.
Be sure to sign-up for the free e-course How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Lower Cholesterol – Modified Atkins Diet May Lower Cholesterol
The Atkins diet has helped many individuals lose weight, but at the same time it’s been harmful to cholesterol levels. However, a researcher has modified the Atkins diet and replaced the animal protein with vegetable protein sources to compare the results.
The modified Atkins diet includes vegetables proteins from soy, gluten, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and cereals in combination with a low carbohydrate diet. This modified Atkins diet was evaluated on 25 participants for 4 weeks. This group was compared to a control group of 25 participants following a high carbohydrate, vegetarian diet for four weeks. The modified Atkins diet provided 26% of calories from carbohydrates, 31% from protein, and 43% from fat, while the control group received 58% of calories from carbohydrates, 16% from protein, and 26% from fat. After the four week period, weight loss between the two groups was similar at 8.8 pounds. However, reduction on LDL cholesterol was greatest in the modified Atkins diet group, dropping 20.4% versus 12.3% for the control group. A larger improvement in total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol was seen in the modified Atkins diet group, along with improved levels of apolipoproteins and blood pressure.
More research is needed to solidify the benefits of a low carbohydrate, vegetarian diet, but the combination may be promising for both weight loss and heart health.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Top 5 Key Strategies to Lose Weight Permanently
http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com
Lipoprotein a – How to Lower Lipoprotein a
Lipoprotein(a) levels are not affected by the foods you eat or your activity level. There are no prescription medications, including statin drugs, that have an impact on reducing levels. That doesn’t mean you don’t have options if you live with an elevated lipoprotein(a). Using supplements, such as omega 3’s, niacin, and vitamin C are three options for reducing lipoprotein(a).
Work with your doctor to learn your lipoprotein(a) and the best treatment approach for you.
Testing lipoprotein a
Function of lipoprotein a
Dangers of elevated lipoprotain a
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
