Cholesterol Diet

A cholesterol diet aims to regulate the levels of cholesterol in the blood stream in order to prevent heart disease.

cholesterol-diet

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all cells of the body. It helps to form cell membranes and some hormones, and performs other functions necessary in a healthy body.

Cholesterol and other fats don’t dissolve in the blood, and are transported to and from cells by special carriers called lipoproteins.

Two Types of Cholesterol

Those of significance in a cholesterol diet are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – see a comprehensive guide to cholesterol numbers here.

LDL Cholesterol

LDL is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates, it can gradually build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain, forming plaque that can clog those arteries – a condition known as arteriosclerosis.

A clot forming near this plaque could block the blood flow to part of the heart muscle causing a heart attack, or to part of the brain, causing a stroke.

A high level of LDL cholesterol (160 mg/dL and above) presents an increased risk of heart disease, so LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol reflect a lower risk of heart disease.

Anyone with heart disease, should aim for LDL cholesterol levels of less than 100 mg/dL.

HDL Cholesterol

About a third to a quarter of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL cholesterol.

It is thought that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques, thus slowing their growth.

So HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol because a high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack.

Conversely, a low HDL level (less than 40 mg/dL) indicates a greater risk of heart attack and possibly stroke.

Cholesterol Diet for Lowering LDL

Cholesterol lowering diets aim to balance LDL and HDL cholesterol to reduce the risks.

There are two main dietary theories when it comes to lowering cholesterol:

  1. Low Fat Diets– This type of approach seeks to remove all saturated fat from the diet. It is believed that if cholesterol isn’t consumed, then it won’t build up in the bloodstream. However, this approach only helps about 5% of those with high cholesterol.
  2. Low Glycemic and Healthy Fats Approach– With this method dieters avoid high glycemic carbs and eat healthy fats from fish, olives, nuts, and flax seed. This type of cholesterol diet is high in fresh vegetables and fruit as well as legumes. This diet seeks to limit inflammation instead of dietary cholesterol.

Popular Cholesterol Diets

Great Cholesterol Myth In The Great Cholesterol Myth nutritionist Jonny Bowden and cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra reveal the true causes of heart disease.
Lower Your Cholesterol Reveals how to eat all the foods you love and lower cholesterol at the same time.
Cholesterol Lowering French Recipes Award winning chef, Alain Braux, teaches you how to lower cholesterol using delicious French gourmet food.
CSIRO Diet A low carb healthy fats approach to lowering LDL

Other low fat recipes can be found here.

Supplementation

There are also some supplements that can be used as part of a cholesterol diet.

  • Fiber supplements containing soluble fiber.
  • Fish oil capsules
  • Flax seed oil capsules
  • Plant sterols
  • Low dose Aspirin<
  • Coconut oil
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Folic Acid

Foods to Avoid

While some experts may disagree about which foods to eat, there are some common food that should be avoided by those on a cholesterol diet.

  • Trans fat and hydrogenated oils.
  • Oils rich in omega 6 fatty acid
  • Refined sugar
  • Refined carbs (high glycemic)
  • Processed foods

Not Just About Diet

A cholesterol diet isn’t just about the foods a person eats. Stress can also play a major role in preventing heart disease and improving health. Learning how to handle stress constructively can lead to better heart health.

Also adequate exercise is a necessary part of the cholesterol diet. Dieters should get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

 By Mizpah Matus B.Hlth.Sc(Hons)
    Citations
  • Bruckert, E., & Rosenbaum, D. (2011). Lowering LDL-cholesterol through diet: potential role in the statin era. Current opinion in lipidology, 22(1), 43-48. link
  • Walker, J. (2013). Reducing cardiovascular disease risk: cholesterol and diet. Nursing Standard, 28(2), 48-55. link

7 Comments or Reviews

Comments now closed
  1. AMIT

    eat regular garlic

  2. nisar

    pls recomend a indian low cholestrol and protein diet

  3. Holland

    Your site is very informational for me. I learned way more from your site than I did from my own doctor. Thank you!

    Holland

  4. ginnunggap

    Anonymous,

    Some cholesterol is converted into bile acids to aid in lipid digestion. A good deal of the bile is recycled, a small amount is excreted in stool. This is, really, the ONLY way we get rid of cholesterol (we don’t metabolize it for energy, we just shuffle it around in various other forms, like cell components or hormones). However, by consuming a high fiber diet, frequent bulky bowel movements will reduce some of the bile recycling, thereby increasing elimination. Increase output and decrease input and your cholesterol level drops.

  5. just a nurse

    i would not suggest that anyone use laxatives on a regular basis without “need”. the body will adjust and one could become dependent on the medicine and cause other gi problems.

  6. Anonymous

    by not going to the bathroom every day makes your cholesterol go up ?? and why

  7. Just-Fit Guy

    Laxative 3 times a day!!!! whoooo!!! I hope that toilet holds up well. Overall the info on HDL vs LDL is accurate. I dont agree with this type of diet. I recommend a diet filled Omega-3 and 6, a glass of wine and exercise to increase HDL (good cholesterol.