Heart Healthy Diet And Cholesterol

Cholesterol can result in atherosclerosis, which is the medical term for blocked arteries. When arteries get blocked due to fat deposits, it can result in a stroke or heart disease. So to avert cholesterol or to slow plaque formation in the arteries, a person requires heart healthy diet. Such a diet ensures that a person eats food that is deemed as healthy for the heart and keeps the blood flowing unobstructed to and from the heart.

A heart healthy diet for cholesterol should contain good cholesterol, while ensuring that levels of bad cholesterol, also known as LDL cholesterol, are kept to the minimum. A heart healthy diet will keep blood pressure normal, reduce the amount of blood sugar and also help the person maintain optimal body weight.

Cholesterol is produced by the liver in the body naturally. It is extremely important for production of tissue and for protecting nerve cells. The body gets all its cholesterol needs from the liver. So, no matter how hard we try, our food will have some amount of cholesterol. However, the problem only occurs when too much cholesterol is consumed. This excess cholesterol ends up forming plaque in the blood vessels and thereby narrowing arteries. This obstructs the flow of blood.

So to have a heart healthy diet that controls the level of cholesterol in the blood, the following tips can be employed.

• Consume a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes. These foods provide dietary fiber and also help keep the levels of bad cholesterol low.
• The fat content in the food should be consumed with care. Fats such as trans fatty acids and saturated fats should be avoided. Instead people should be looking to consume monounsaturated fats. These are present in olive oil as well as peanut oil.
• Usually proteins are the cause of cholesterol. Hence, eating a wide variety of proteins can offset this problem. Instead of animal protein, the person can consume soy protein. Also, consuming Omega 3 essential fatty acids, which are present in fatty fish and nuts, can lower bad cholesterol in the blood. The American Heart Association states that fish is an important food for heart healthy diets.
• Try to control the amount of cholesterol you get through food. Simple carbohydrates can elevate the levels of blood cholesterol. So, a person should be looking to consume complex carbohydrates, which are present in whole wheat pasta, brown rice and whole grain breads.
• Avoid skipping meals. When a person does this, there is a tendency to overeat. If you have a tendency to overeat, try having 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day. Otherwise, stick to having 3 meals that contain all the foods from the food pyramid.
• Exercise is also important for the heart. Just eating a heart healthy diet will not suffice. You can to club it with exercise to gain maximum benefits.

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• Heart Healthy Diet And Cholesterol
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• Statistics About Heart Disease
• What Does Enlarged Heart Mean ?
• What Is Interventional Cardiology ?
• What Is Water Around The Heart ?
• Why Is The Heart Important ?

Sponsored Links :

WebMD: High Cholesterol: Heart-Healthy Diet
http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/heart-healthy-diet

LiveStrong: Cholesterol and a Heart Healthy Diet
http://www.livestrong.com/article/402246-cholesterol-and-a-heart-healthy-diet/