High Cholesterol Foods and Heart Disease
When it comes to heart disease the one word that is directly connected to it is the “cholesterol”. Daily we come across a number of TV and print advertisement which are advertising the latest cholesterol reducing drugs, oils and what not. Increased level of this god gifted substance is associated with many cardiovascular problems. As we go through this ad campaign daily, most of us are compelled to use these cholesterol reducing oils and foods just to keep the heart related issues at its minimum.
But what is cholesterol and from where it comes? Read on to find the answer.
Cholesterol is essential for proper body functioning and is produced in the body mainly in the liver. A rough estimation says that almost 80 % of the cholesterol is produced within the body and around 20 % comes from other dietary supplies. But unfortunately it was the way it used to be. Now because of the consumption of fast-food the ratio has disturbed a lot. Because of this fast-food issue the cholesterol has now become our major health concern.
Cholesterol plays a prime role in the body functioning. It is used to make the membrane of the cells. It also makes the cell membrane durable and stable. It is also very important in forming brain cells, nerve tissue and the spinal cord. Cholesterol is also used in manufacturing bile, which is the vital part of the digestive process. There are many other hormones that are produced within the body in the presence of cholesterol.
Unluckily our modern diet has bombarded us too much of this good thing than is required for normal body functioning. High cholesterol foods like eggs, meat and whole fat dairy products should be taken in moderation. The foods that are high in trans fats and the saturated fats are the biggest culprits. Snack foods, fried foods, processed foods which come in a box are nothing but a dose full of hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The fact is foods that are rich in these saturated fats and trans fat have a worse effect on the cholesterol levels compared to the foods that are high in cholesterol. This certainly does not mean that we should eat foods high in cholesterol, rather it means that we should avoid foods rich in saturated and trans fats.
With the time as the cholesterol level increases a point comes when the body cannot use all the cholesterol. When this situation arrives the excessive cholesterol starts to deposit itself along the walls of the arteries. This deposition creates plaque and cause atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a process of narrowing and hardening of arteries. This plaque causes the blockage in the circulation of blood which leads to heart attack. Or in another situation they can become a clot and cause the blockage of the smaller vessel of the brain thus causing a stroke.
Remember cholesterol is an essential substance for the body. It is important to take cholesterol rich food in moderation and to avoid the foods that are high in trans fats and saturated foods. These dietary changes will help a person to keep away the risk of heart disease.
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