Although high cholesterol is sometimes a condition that requires medication, there are many people that can benefit from simple changes to their diets, including recipes lowering cholesterol.
And even those people who need medication can sometimes take a lower dose and stay healthier if they eat better.
Hypercholesterolemia is the formal name for high cholesterol.
The cholesterol molecule is essential to the function of life.
Because it is a lipid (fatty molecule), it does not dissolve in water and must be carried through the blood by proteins that are water soluble.
The two main types of cholesterol-carrier complexes are called HDLs and LDLs, which stand for high- and low-density lipoproteins.
They seem to have opposite effects on health, with HDL improving health and LDL causing problems.
Because of its essential nature in the body, humans produce this molecule.
Some people make too much, and these are the people that need medication, even if they eat well.
Others eat poorly and can solve their problem with a better diet.
Some are in-between, where their bodies make too much of the substance, but not so much that it is a problem unless they also eat badly.
Avoiding the substance itself in foods is important, but this is not the only issue.
Foods high in saturated fats also appear to exacerbate hypercholesterolemia, and should be avoided.
It is not necessary to follow a strict low-fat diet, as unsaturated fats appear to improve heart health, but any diet for people suffering from this problem should be low in saturated fats.
Saturated fats are usually those that are solid at room temperature, with a few exceptions.
Oils tend to be higher in unsaturated fats and should be substituted for butter and other solid fats wherever possible.
Do not use margarine in place of butter unless it contains no hydrogenated oils, as these have trans fats and trans fats are actually worse for you than saturated fats.
Because there is some evidence that polyunsaturated fats, also known as omega-3 fatty acids, are actually helpful in both lowering LDL and raising HDL, incorporating fish, nuts, and olive oil into your diet is a good idea.
Since all fats are high in calories, the total caloric intake must be considered when using these items.
But appropriately-sized portions can help you be healthier.
Cholesterol is a component of the cell membrane in animals, but it is present in higher quantities in some types of meat.
Lean meats are always better than fatty meats, since this reduces your intake of saturated fat, and poultry and fish are better than red meat.
Beef should be avoided if possible, and at the very least, only lean beef should be used.
Buffalo or beefalo (meat from a buffalo-cattle hybrid) is available at many health food stores and is much lower in fat and cholesterol than regular beef.
Fiber is an important component of any diet to reduce LDL levels as well.
The healthiest way to get fiber is to eat whole grains and fruits and vegetables.
Add a few vegetables to your favorite dishes, such as low-fat fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli, or low-fat mashed potatoes made with skim milk and trans-fat free margarine, plus peppers.
Use whole-wheat pasta in the fettuccine and add the peels to the mashed potatoes, and you'll really be eating well.
To conclude, please note that while the above information can help lower your cholesterol, there is much, much more available on the subject.
If you are struggling with high cholesterol, please keep learning as much as you can on this important subject.