Tuesday, January 24, 2023

What foods affect blood cholesterol levels?

 High cholesterol levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The body needs a certain, moderate amount of cholesterol to function properly because our body uses cholesterol to build cells and produce vitamins and hormones.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver. The body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to function properly, using it to build cells and produce vitamins and hormones.

Cholesterol also comes from animal products, including meat, poultry, and dairy products. This type of cholesterol is dietary. Saturated and trans fats can raise blood cholesterol levels because they increase the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver.

"Bad" cholesterol, "good" cholesterol.

There are two main types of lipoproteins, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as "good" cholesterol.

Excess LDL cholesterol can build up on artery walls, narrowing them and increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. And does the body need cholesterol from food?

Yes, you need to monitor the amount of cholesterol you get from food. For health, its moderate level is still better than excess. However, in general, dietary cholesterol does not pose a health risk. The optimal safe amount depends on a person's activity level, genetics, underlying health issues, and age.

Animal products contain dietary cholesterol, including egg yolk, shrimp, beef, pork, poultry, cheese, and butter.

A 2018 study looked at the effect of eggs, one of the largest sources of dietary cholesterol, on total blood cholesterol levels. According to the results, people may react differently to dietary cholesterol depending on their genetics and metabolic factors.

For most people, dietary cholesterol intake raises total blood cholesterol levels to little or no extent.

Overall, research shows that the dietary cholesterol found in eggs does not adversely affect total blood cholesterol levels. In people who eat eggs to lose weight or maintain weight, eating these foods may cause minimal changes in LDL and HDL cholesterol levels.

Researchers concluded that those who do not eat meat products may consume more eggs and dairy products. For example, if older adults do not have high cholesterol, eating two eggs a day may be part of their daily diet.

Many dietary sources of cholesterol other than eggs and shrimp are also high in saturated fat. Saturated fats, in turn, increase LDL cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

A 2020 American Heart Association (AHA) study looked at the link between dietary cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The obtained data did not give unequivocal results. In addition, most other studies show no significant association between dietary cholesterol, including egg consumption, and coronary heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

On the other hand, some studies have shown that eating half an egg a day can increase the risk of heart disease by six percent.

According to the Tervise Arengu Instituut, we get the most saturated fatty acids from meat products with visible or hidden fat (e.g. as well as from bakery products).

Some of the healthiest foods include, but are not limited to: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, "lean" or plant-based protein, nuts and seeds, and liquid vegetable oils.

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