LDL Cholesterol – Elevated LDL Cholesterol Prevalence Has Decreased
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found the number of individuals in the U.S. living with elevated LDL cholesterol levels has decreased by about 1/3 between 1999-2000 and 2005-2006. These findings are based on the results of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with just over 7,000 participants over the age of 20. According to CDC scientists the rate of high LDL levels decreased from 31.5% to 21.2%. Individuals included in the study were not taking statin medications, although self-reported use of statin medications increased from 8% to 12.4%.
This report is a good sign that more individuals are taking steps to control cholesterol levels, such as monitoring saturated and trans fat intake. However, if you are living with elevated LDL cholesterol what’s important is that you take steps to control your levels to reduce your heart disease risk. Here is a post where you can learn more about lowering LDL cholesterol:
Please share your thoughts on the study results below.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
http://www.lowercholesterolwithlisa.com
Heart Health Tips for Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant found in fruits, vegetables, and certain beverages. Flavonoids are a hot topic because of their reported antiviral, anti-allergy, antiplatelet (blood clotting), anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor (cancer), and antioxidants health benefits. Many of the beneficial effects of fruits, vegetables, tea, and red wine are linked to flavonoids versus known nutrients and vitamins.
Antioxidants protect cells against damage caused by free radicals, which lead to oxidative stress and cell damage. Oxidative stress is linked with cancer, aging, atherosclerosis, ischemic injury, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. For example, the oxidation of LDL cholesterol plays a critical role in the development of heart disease.
Flavonoid Sources:
High Flavonoid Content (>50 mg/100 g of food)
Onion, kale, green beans, broccoli, endive, celery, cranberry, orange juice
Medium Flavonoid Content (1-5 mg/100 g of food)
Salad, tomato, bell pepper, strawberry, broad bean, apple, grape, red wine, tea, tomato juice
Low Flavonoid Content (<1 mg/100 g of food) Cabbage, carrot, mushroom, pea, spinach, peach, white wine, coffee If you struggle to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables everyday consider supplementing your diet with Juice Plus to boost your daily antioxidant intake.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 4
Let’s do a quick review. Step 1 of a diet to lower LDL cholesterol is to reduce saturated fat intake, step 2 increase soluble fiber, and step 3 increase plant sterol intake. The fourth step does not involve diet, but is an important part of maintaining a low LDL cholesterol level.
Here is the fourth of four options for lowering LDL cholesterol:
Physical Activity
Inactivity can cause higher cholesterol levels. Increase physical activity to increase HDL, lower LDL, and lower triglyceride levels. Check with your physician before starting an exercise program if you’re not currently active.
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 1
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 2
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 3
Receive a step by step plan to promote heart health with a Mini Diet Makeover. As a special New Year’s bonus you’ll receive a complimentary copy of the Calorie Counter for Dummies. Learn more here – https://www.lisanelsonrd.com/minidietmakeover.html
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 3
All right, in steps 1 and 2 we covered saturated fat to lower LDL cholesterol and increasing soluble fiber to lower LDL cholesterol. Now, let’s cover plant sterols.
Here is the third of four options for lower LDL cholesterol diet:
Plant Sterols
Eat plant sterols everyday. Eating 2 grams of plant sterols each day will on average reduce your LDL cholesterol 10%.
Plant sterols occur naturally in foods at low levels, so some foods have been fortified. Here is the amount of plant sterols in some foods:
Avocados, 1 small 0.13 grams
Corn Oil, 1 tablespoon 0.13 grams
Sunflower Seeds, 1/4 cup 0.19 grams
Oat Bar with plant sterols, 1 bar 0.4 grams
Orange Juice with plant sterols 1.0 gram
Vegetable oil spread with plant sterols, 1 tablespoon 1.0 gram
Benecol is also an option to boost plant sterol intake.
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 4
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 2
As we covered in Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 1, LDL (bad) cholesterol levels should be less than 130 mg/dl and ideally less than 100 mg/dl.
Here is the second of four options for lower LDL cholesterol diet:
Soluble Fiber
Increase dietary fiber, especially soluble fiber. Eat 25-35 grams of fiber daily and of this at least 15 grams should be soluble fiber. Research has shown that for every 1-2 grams of daily soluble fiber intake, LDL (bad) cholesterol is lowered 1%.
Sources of soluble fiber include:
Oat and oat bran
Legumes (dried beans and peas)
Nuts
Barley, rye
Flaxseed
Fruits (i.e. oranges, apples, prunes, plums, berries)
Vegetables (i.e. carrots, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions)
Psyllium husk
Learn more here about a high fiber diet plan to lower cholesterol here.
Lower LDL Cholesterol Diet – Step 3
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
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
