Lowering Cholesterol through Smart Food Choices

Come let us go and fly a fighter jet! Well, do you think it to be possible unless you know how to fly and learn all about the fighter jets? Absolutely not! Similar is the case when you ask about the smart food choices which can lower the cholesterol level, it is essential to know what cholesterol is!
Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is produced by our liver. This substance is necessary for our body because of the following reasons:

• Making vitamin D

• Making some hormones

• Building cell walls

• Creating bile salt that helps in digestion of fats

Danger Ahead: May be this is not the bill board that you see when you enter the shop selling greasy burgers, cheese items and foodstuff which have cholesterol! This is what your body and mind must be thinking that you cannot realize out of the temptation! So what are the dangers that you cannot figure out? Lets us have a look:
“When high level of cholesterol gets accumulated in the body, it gets deposited on the artery walls in the form of a hard substance. This hard substance is known as PLAQUE. This plaque makes the arteries narrow over time and blood flow decreases. This causes the arteries to harden. This affects the blood vessels which supply blood to the muscles of the heart. The end result can be a heart attack and we will gather to pray: ‘may your soul rest in peace’! It is not only the heart; it can also affect the blood flow to the brain (causing stroke), kidneys and intestines”. Danger Ahead is explained!
Way out: Control your temptation!
It is simple! Your body, rather our body can produce enough cholesterol each day so that we can do away with food containing cholesterol. Thus the way out is the magic of ‘LOWERING CHOLESTEROL THROUGH SMART FOOD CHOICES.’ Let us have a look into that.

• Of the two variants of fiber (soluble and insoluble), the soluble variant is capable of lowering the cholesterol level. Eating 5-10 grams of soluble fiber every day will decrease the LDL (i.e. bad) cholesterol by 5%-10%.

• Soy Protein has lower cholesterol level than the animal protein (milk, meet, egg etc). Replacing the animal protein with the Soy Protein can help in reducing the cholesterol level. For example, have Soy milk or Soy products which can be substitutes of meat.

• Nuts, especially almonds when used in replacement of the snacks having saturated fats can help to reduce cholesterol. The nuts have healthy fats which are not very harmful to the body. They also have various nutrients which can be helpful for you!

• Certain variety of fish like the shellfish has omega-3 fatty acids which are capable of reducing fat in the blood stream. Consumption of these fish can help to reduce the cholesterol level. But, consumption of these fishes should be avoided by pregnant women because they have higher levels of mercury which may be harmful during pregnancy.

You are smart… make your choices smart…!