Good and Bad Cholesterol

Understanding What is Good and Bad Cholesterol

February 2, 2012
by Andrea L. Smith
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Good and Bad Cholesterol

How to Differentiate Good and Bad Cholesterol in Foods

Good and Bad CholesterolBecause of health concerns associated with the intake of cholesterol, consumers need to know how to differentiate good and bad cholesterol based on the label and ingredients used during its production. Cholesterol, or fat, is actually a necessary part of the food pyramid and is synthesized by the body to be used in other cell activity. It also plays an active role in the production of bile acids, certain hormones and Vitamin D, which is believed to have an anti-cancer effect.  Good cholesterol and bad cholesterol can be both present in a commodity, and sometimes, bad cholesterol takes a different name which makes it difficult to identify and avoid.

Cholesterol is naturally present in egg yolks, beef, pork, and animal oils. Though it aids in the production of other important hormones and acids in the body, the chemical structure of cholesterol hinder it to be dissolved in the bloodstream. Because of this, cholesterol is being carried along the bloodstream by its carriers which are called lipoproteins. These lipoproteins, which may be a low density or a high density, then defines the good and bad cholesterol present in the body.

The Good and Bad Cholesterol: HDL and LDL

Good and Bad Cholesterol FoodsThe good and bad cholesterol can be differentiated through the density of their carrier. Lipoproteins are naturally produced in the body and are responsible for carrying cholesterol in the blood. HDL or High-density-lipoprotein is considered to be“good” cholesterol because it is mostly made up of proteins and binds small amount of fat. LDL or Low-density-lipoprotein is the dangerous type of cholesterol since it carries mostly fat, which has a tendency to clog the blood vessels and increases the risk of a person to heart attack.

How to Regulate Good and Bad Cholesterol

HDL levelsThe presence of the good and bad cholesterol in the body can be regulated through the consumption of certain food products. To increase the good cholesterol in the body, the high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) should also be increased. This can be done through the intake of food products that are known to increase the amount of HDL in the body.  Certain foods such as eggs, lean meats, and dark chocolate are known to increase HDL levels. In addition, alcohol consumption and regulated intake of wine were also identified to promote production of HDL in the body.

Aside from food consumption, other factors also affect the production of HDL and LDL, which results to the presence of good and bad cholesterol. Personal habits and individual lifestyle are just some of the factors that can either increase or decrease the HDL and LDL production. Smoking, diabetes, obesity and lack of exercise increases the amount of LDL produced in the body. As such, regulation of the amount of good cholesterol and bad cholesterol in the body can be done through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle.

Good and Bad Cholesterol as Shown on Product Labels

Good Cholesterol and Bad CholesterolFDA has mandated food manufacturers to label all food products sold in the market and to include all ingredients used during the production. Through this, consumers can easily identify the presence of good and bad cholesterol. In terms of ingredients and raw materials, good & bad cholesterol can take up different names which might confuse the consumers.

In food labels, cholesterol is also known as fat. To differentiate the good and bad cholesterol, the saturated fat is the “good” while the unsaturated fat is known to be the “bad”. Saturated fats are derived from animal fats and are more solid in form, so you can imagine what it can be like when it enters your bloodstream. On the other hand, unsaturated fats are derived from plants and are liquid in form when placed at room temperature. This type of fat does not increase the risk of fat clogging in the blood vessels. In addition, unsaturated fat is highly recommended for consumption. However, both saturated and unsaturated fat can be harmful and may introduce risk of cardiovascular diseases when its consumption is not properly regulated.

It is important that individuals distinguish good and bad cholesterol in the food they eat. Many young individuals have already died because of atherosclerosis. This is because most of the processed foods contain Trans Fat. Trans Fat is a modified or manufactured form of unsaturated fat by the process of hydrogenation imposes great risks for heart diseases. Sometimes, it is also declared as hydrogenated fat in some food labels. It is important that consumption of Trans Fat should be avoided as much as possible.

Good and bad cholesterol may be present in the food that we always consumer. However, every consumer is responsible for every food that he or she eats. To promote a healthy lifestyle and to avoid the risk of atherosclerosis, consumers should be aware of what they eat and learn to segregate good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.

May 5, 2012
by Andrea L. Smith
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Cholesterol Diet

Cholesterol Diet is a Great Key to Manage High Cholesterol Levels

Are you currently gaining excess weight? Does this make you be worried about your cholesterol degree? Do you’re feeling like you should do some thing about your consuming routines especially your cholesterol diet?

Fantastic idea…Unhealthy cholesterol ranges like hypertension, will not exhibit signs right up until problems like severe heart illness leading to heart attacks arise. Decreasing cholesterols with drugs are located out to become efficient. Nevertheless, a way of living alter that will contain a superb cholesterol diet like a initial step would function ideal. Medication as lone options to decreasing a person’s cholesterol degree might not be as productive if not coupled with some physical actions and greater cholesterol diet. They are extremely necessary partners

Cholesterol Diet No matter the truth that body fat is really a main supply of vitality during the physique; additionally it is not the only resource. A lot of excess fat inside a person’s diet can boost the blood cholesterol levels leading to heart assault. Nevertheless, body fat material will not be a superb gauge of the food’s cholesterol content material. Liver along with other organ meats could be reduced in excess fat but have high cholesterol content material.

Listed here are some tips on cholesterol diet approaches;

  • Taking fiber-rich meals for instance complete grains when you principal supply of carbohydrates. This really should go hand in hand with a rise consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit for example oranges, berries, apples, grapes, pears, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, kale, dark leafy greens celery, squash, cauliflower and eggplant amongst other people.
  • Staying away from saturated fats that are mainly present in animal meals for example meat, poultry and dairy solutions can be a very good cholesterol diet. Choose unsaturated fats as an alternative, exclusively omega-3 fatty. Very good sources of those will be the vegetable and fish oils.
  • Source out protein from soy protein, poultry, and fish as an alternative to meat.
  • Major life style transform as being a a part of cholesterol diet would indicate excess weight management, workout, and quitting smoking.

Lower Cholesterol DietIt commonly will take a wholesome cholesterol diet 3 to 6 months to demonstrate any modify in cholesterol degree. Some sufferers although, have witnessed benefits in about 4 weeks. Though cholesterol diet is really a excellent approach to start off a way of life transform in the direction of a more healthy heart, remember that right training is as very important.

Inactivity is believed to become one of many 4 principal leads to of coronary heart illness. The 3 other individuals are smoking, unhealthy cholesterol, and large blood stress. Even having a newly-acquired reduced cholesterol diet and a few realized uncomplicated workout routines, you could possibly need to believe challenging just before lighting one more one among these cigarette sticks!