Diet Plan for Lowering Cholesterol (Meal Plan for High Cholesterol)

High cholesterol is associated with atherosclerotic diseases such as heart disease, strokes, fatty liver, NASH, and kidney diseases.

A diet plan for lowering cholesterol levels can augment the effects of medications and people may not even need to use medications if a proper diet plan for lowering cholesterol is followed.

Physicians usually tell their patients to avoid fatty and oily meals but that is probably not enough. Even the extra carbs a person takes are converted in our body into cholesterol and stored in the liver.

Furthermore, dietary intervention and exercise are the two important steps to lowering blood cholesterol levels before a person is prescribed pills.

Cholesterol pills have serious side effects too. One just needs to slightly modify his/ her dietary habits and that is all. In addition, certain dietary supplements may help you lower your cholesterol levels without the need to take medications.

Introduction:

Hyperlipidemia or high blood cholesterol is a serious condition that increases the risk of heart disease. If you have high cholesterol levels your risk of getting a heart attack almost doubles.

However, you can take steps to lower your blood cholesterol levels.

What is Cholesterol and Why is it Dangerous?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that maintains the structure of cell walls in the body. It aids in the production of fat-soluble vitamins, bile acids, and some hormones.

Cholesterol cannot travel freely in blood so it travels in the form of lipoproteins. HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) are two forms of lipoproteins.

Triglyceride is another bad cholesterol and is especially a problem in obese people and people with diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

Very high triglyceride levels can cause inflammation in our bodies. A triglyceride level that exceeds 800 mg/dl is considered serious.

It may cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) which is a very serious condition and often results in hospitalization of the patient in an intensive care unit.

The risk of heart disease increases when LDL levels are high and HDL levels are low. This is because excess LDL cholesterol accumulates in the arteries causing atherosclerosis.

A high HDL cholesterol is protective. It takes the cholesterol in your arteries to the liver where it is stored or used.

What are Normal Cholesterol Levels?

The Normal Cholesterol levels for the general population are:

• Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol less than 130 mg/dL
• HDL cholesterol greater than 40 mg/ dL in men and 50 mg/dl in women.
• Triglycerides less than 150 mg/dl.

For patients with diabetes, the LDL cut-off is 100 mg/dl or less. For patients with IHD (ischemic heart disease), the LDL cut-off is less than 70 mg/dl.

Diet Plan for Lowering Cholesterol levels: What to eat for Breakfast?

Diet Plan for Lowering Cholesterol levels: What to eat at Lunch?

Diet Plan for Lowering Cholesterol levels: What to eat at Dinner?

Diet Plan for Lowering Cholesterol (High Cholesterol Meal Plan) Summarized:

A 1200-1300 calories meal plan designed to lower overall body weight and total cholesterol levels.

Here is a summary of a one-week meal plan for lowering cholesterol levels in PDF Format.

Recommendations for lowering cholesterol levels:

• Focus on cooking methods, roast, steam, stir fry or sauté e seafood, chicken, and vegetables in a minimum amount of vegetable oil or olive oil
• Cool sown soups and stews for at least one hour to remove the congealed fat
• Use less salt in cooking
• Use low-fat, skimmed, or evaporated milk
• Use sour cream, cottage cheese, or yogurt instead of high-fat cheese.
• Replace salt with herbs and spices
• Prefer skinless meat and egg whites
• Choose whole grains to boost your fiber intake.
• May take supplements like Niacin and other supplements that help lower your cholesterol levels.