Cholesterol

Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol. Fatty fish has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce your triglycerides — a type of fat found in blood. These acids also may help lower your blood pressure and risk of developing blood clots. In people who have already had heart attacks, omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of sudden death. Omega-3 fatty acids don't affect LDL cholesterol levels but may help lower triglycerides and increase HDL, the good cholesterol. But because of those acids' other heart benefits, the American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish a week. Baking or grilling the fish avoids adding unhealthy fats. The highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids are in: • Mackerel. • Herring. • Tuna. • Salmon. • Trout. Foods such as walnuts, flaxseed and canola oil also have small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 and fish oil supplements are available. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. Almonds and other tree nuts can improve blood cholesterol. Studies have shown that walnuts, which have omega-3 fats, may help protect the heart and lower the risk of heart attack for people who already ha...

Too much cholesterol in the body can clog arteries. Cholesterol is a chemical compound that the body requires as a building block for cell membranes and for hormones like estrogen and testosterone. The Cholesterol content in the bloodstream is regulated by the liver. After a meal, cholesterol in the When too much cholesterol is present in the body, it can build up in deposits called plaque along the inside walls of arteries, causing them to narrow. Chart of LDL and HDL Cholesterol Numbers. Chart courtesy of the National Institutes of Health. Cholesterol does not travel freely through the bloodstream. Instead, it is attached or carried by lipoproteins (lipo = fat) in the blood. There are three types of lipoproteins that are categorized based on how much protein there is in relation to the amount of cholesterol. • Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) contain a higher ratio of cholesterol to protein and are thought of as the “bad” cholesterol. Elevated levels of LDL lipoprotein increase the risk of • High-density lipoproteins ( • Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) contain even less protein than LDL. VLDL like LDL has been associated with plaque deposits. • Total cholesterol score is the sum of IMAGES Cholesterol (Lowering Your Cholesterol) See a medical illustration of the cholesterol plus our entire medical gallery of human anatomy and physiology See Images Cholesterol levels: What’s normal and what’s high? Blood tests are required to measure total cholesterol and lipoproteins. ...