If you want more HDL or LDL, eat more high-cholesterol foods and don't exercise. If you want less, then eat foods with less cholesterol and exercise. You may also take a statin drug to help lower your LDL. HDL = good cholesterol, by the way.
To lower your cholesterol you should eat foods that are high in fiber, such as bran or oats. Fish and other foods that are high in Omaga-3 are also very helpful in keeping your LDL down.
Unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, Lowers your bad cholesterol LDL
Although a poor diet can lead to high cholesterol, a good diet can help reduce cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is only found in animal products. Most foods that reduce cholesterol are plant-based. Soluble fiber, which is found in whole grains, beans, eggplants, citrus fruits, apples and grapes, binds to cholesterol and takes it out the body. Some foods, such as nuts, plant oils and soy, lower LDL cholesterol. Fatty fish is low in saturated fat, unlike other meats. Also, the omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish help lower LDL cholesterol. With just a few changes in diet, cholesterol can be reduced.
Fried foods, liver meats, and beef are all foods that will increase your ldl cholesterol. This is the unhealthy type of cholesterol, and too much of this is not good for you.
Unsaturated fats typically is associated with lowering "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and raising "good" cholesterol (HDL)
Although your doctor may have told you to lower your total cholesterol, it's important to raise your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is known as the "good" cholesterol. It might sound like a mixed message, but reducing "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol may lower your risk of heart disease.
LDL cholesterol is also known as "bad cholesterol," and it is found in red meats, such as pork and beef. HDL is known as "good cholesterol," and is found in foods such as fruits and vegetables.
There are different types of cholesterol, LDL and HDL. HDL is the good cholesterol, the higher it is, the better it is for you. LDL is the bad cholesterol, which meant the lower it is, the better for your health.
Lowering bad cholesterol within your body is as simple as choosing the right foods to add to your diet. Foods high in fiber, such as apples and oatmeal, contain an over abundance of soluble fiber that targets the LDL level within your body. Consumption of fish on a regular basis also plays a part in reducing your cholesterol thanks to the heavy amounts of omega 3 fatty acids that counteract with the LDL in your body and help to lower blood pressure levels. These foods, along with nuts and certain oils, are fine options to choose from when fighting to win the war on bad cholesterol.
Bad cholesterol is a term that is used to describe high levels of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, in the bloodstream. LDL is present in the body to help carry triglycerides and cholesterol from the liver, where is it created, to other parts of the body. When there are high levels of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream, the LDL can build up on artery walls, creating a plaque-like substance. When this plaque gets thick enough, arteries can become blocked, which may lead to heart disease, heart attack, or a stroke. This is why it is important for those with high levels of LDL to take the necessary steps to lower cholesterol before their health is affected. When attempting to lower cholesterol, it is important to understand that foods high in saturated and trans fats will only heighten the problem. Therefore, to lower cholesterol, fried, fatty, and highly processed foods should be eliminated from one’s diet. This includes most fast foods and many processed snacks, like potato chips and other unhealthy choices. While this many eliminate a wide variety of foods, these foods have little nutritional value and do not contribute to one’s nutrition, nor good health. Fortunately, simply decreasing the amount of bad fats in one’s diet can make a large impact in lowering their bad cholesterol. Exercise is another great way to efficiently lower cholesterol, while strengthening the heart. In fact, exercise will not only lower bad cholesterol, but it will also help to raise the levels of good cholesterol. Simply adding a relatively easy exercise, like walking, to one’s routine can help to lower cholesterol greatly. However, for the best results, those with high cholesterol should attempt to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes, at least three times a week. If cholesterol levels are not effectively lowered after eliminating fatty foods from one’s diet and increasing exercise, then medication may be considered. There are a variety of medications available by prescription to help lower high cholesterol in patients. Nevertheless, most patients will find that even while taking medication, a good diet and adequate exercise will not only help to lower cholesterol, but also help to improve their overall health.
A common feature of plant sterols is their similar structure to cholesterol, but with a double bond at the C-22 position. Plant sterols are found naturally in plants and have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels in the body by competing with cholesterol for absorption in the intestine. Additionally, plant sterols are often added to fortified foods and supplements to help support heart health.