The question of cholesterol has been highly arguable for almost one hundred years. It is declared to be the main reason for the development of atherosclerosis that leads to stenocardia, heart attacks and apoplexies. Then the struggle with it begins. Not always successful, because our body gets the cholesterol not only from food but also generates it internally.
Also, it was found out that cholesterol is not always unhealthy and dangerous. There is “bad” cholesterol causing atherosclerosis and a “good” one preventing the organism from its development. At first it is required to do extra tests in order to determine its qualitative composition. Cholesterol itself is not a problem; the problem is the way it travels through the organism. Lipoproteins – complex compounds of fat and proteins are the carriers of cholesterol.
If the analysis shows that the number of low-density lipoproteins in the blood prevails – it’s time to worry, because exactly these compounds promote the sedimentation of cholesterol on vascular walls and the development of heart diseases. High-density lipoproteins on the contrary take part in removal of excess cholesterol. By the way, women suffer from heart attacks rarely than men exactly because their blood contains larger amount of the “good” cholesterol. This happens due to female hormones – estrogens. But when the menopause begins, chances of both men and women get equal.
In order to normalize the level of cholesterol in the blood it is necessary to:
- Firstly, lower the caloric value of the diet. In case of overweight problems – you should lose weight. Very often loosing of weight is accompanied by normalization of cholesterol level;
- Secondly, include beans, citrus fruits, apples and oatmeal in your diet. These products contain plant fibers, which help to remove excess of cholesterol. There is true popular wisdom: “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. It is true, especially if it is strengthened by the habit of beginning the morning with the plate of oatmeal.
Beans also protect the organism from atherosclerosis. Low level of heart attacks and apoplexies registered among the Asian population – is the result of their devotion to the famous podded plant – soya. The researches of the American scientists have proved that soya protein removes “bad” cholesterol, i.e., lowers the level of low-density lipoproteins, not affecting the healthy high-density ones.
This fact doesn’t mean that you should overeat soya replacing it by other usual food products. 20-25 grams of soya proteins a day will suffice. In spite of common belief, tea and coffee don’t affect the concentration of fat in blood. And red wine in small portions has beneficial effect on vessels. Regular exercises of average-intensity are very important for the normalization of the right balance of “good” and “bad” cholesterol in blood. The results become evident after six months.
Non-cholesterol diet is not desirable for children too. There are several reasons for it. Cholesterol is a part of cell membranes and thus provides cell division that is especially important for the growing organism. It turns out that without cholesterol children simply won’t grow.
Source: cholesterol levels
