High cholesterol is a problem we may all face, eventually. In fact, research indicates that numbers start to rise long before testing begins in most people. What makes those numbers go up?
Heredity: This is a factor you can do nothing about. The saying goes, “You can pick your friends but not your relatives.” Anyone with a strong family history of high cholesterol may wish that were not the case, but it is. Even if you eat properly and do all of the other “right things,” cholesterol may become a problem.
Diet: Eating foods high in LDL cholesterol is one of the surefire ways of having high numbers. Figuring out which foods have this problem and which don’t is no longer an easy matter. The instructions used to be very simple. Don’t eat eggs, red meat or pork. Avoid deep fat fried foods. That was pretty much it.
Now, it’s not so simple. Eggs may contain cholesterol, but they also contain a natural form of choline, a nutrient we all need. Scientists have helped ranchers develop eggs that are lower in LDL cholesterol and even contain Omega-3 fatty acids.
Cattle farmers have also learned something important. Not only is it cheaper to feed their cattle a grass diet, it’s a lot better for those who consume the end product. Grass fed beef also contains Omega-3 fatty acids…about as much as a piece of salmon. Some cuts are also lower than untrimmed boneless/skinless chicken.
For these matters, your best bet is to talk to a nutritionist. Make sure he or she is educated on the new products so that you get the best advice possible. That way you can be sure whether or not eggs and beef can go back on your menu.
Exercise: Sure enough, where diet is important, so is exercise. Researchers aren’t really sure why exercise helps keep cholesterol in check, but it does seem to help. Along with all the other benefits of regular workouts, keeping your numbers down seems like an extra benefit.
Lack of Fiber: Fiber is not just there to keep you “regular.” It can also absorb cholesterol and/or prevent it from being absorbed. In this, it’s not just the cholesterol you consume; it’s also the cholesterol your body produces to aid digestion. It gets moved on through and eliminated.
Low Salt? Preliminary research suggests that while a low salt diet can reduce blood pressure problems, it is not helpful in lowering cholesterol. In fact, the study indicates it could cause it to go up. More studies need to be done to confirm this, and to determine how much of an effect it has on the body.
If you have high cholesterol, talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to help you avoid cholesterol medications, but if natural means don’t work, you may need some prescription help. Your doctor is the best person to judge which is better for you.
