High cholesterol levels can be detrimental to health and cause disease. With some foods, however, this can be reduced in a targeted manner.
Frankfurt – Cardiovascular or metabolic diseases are often associated with an elevated cholesterol level. This is strongly influenced by age and diet, among other things. This means that the older you are and the less healthy you are, the higher your blood cholesterol levels, which can have serious health consequences.
But why is high cholesterol dangerous at all? As the German Heart Foundation informs, our body needs natural fat to strengthen our cells. However, a distinction must be made between LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein). HDL cholesterol carries excess lipoproteins to the liver, while LDL cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. When LDL levels are too high, cholesterol builds up in the blood vessels, which can lead to clots. Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, heart attacks and strokes can be the result.
With natural foods, however, the values can already be reduced – without any medication.
Health and Nutrition: These foods lower cholesterol levels
Fatty foods usually contain a lot of cholesterol. Nevertheless, people who have a high level should not completely eliminate fats from their diet. In particular, foods with unsaturated fatty acids, i.e. few animal fats, can be consumed without any harmful effects on health. Like the nutrition portal eatbetter.de informed, a number of foods can even lower cholesterol. These include:
- Types of fish such as salmon, herring or mackerel
- Vegetable oils, such as canola oil, olive oil and linseed oil
- Nuts (especially walnuts)
- apples and pears
- Legumes, such as peas and chickpeas
- tomatoes
- Avocados
- Herbs such as ginger, garlic and wild garlic
- whole grain products
- Green tea
- dark chocolate
A high content of roughage, tannic acids, unsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids is decisive for the cholesterol-lowering effect. Some Food also has an anti-inflammatory effect and can be used against arthrosis and rheumatism help.
Lower cholesterol and promote health with certain foods
According to one, walnuts are suitable Study by the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich (LMU) especially to improve fat metabolism and lower LDL cholesterol levels. Olive oil can achieve the same effect, but it should be consumed cold, as important nutrients are lost when heated, such as eatbetter.de informed.
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When it comes to dark chocolate, some people will probably be happy: a candy that even lowers cholesterol levels – too good to be true, right? In fact, the cocoa content plays an important role, because not every dark chocolate helps per se against high cholesterol levels in the blood. Like the portal eatbetter.de reports, it is recommended from a health perspective to only use chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa content.
Diet and Health: How Food Can Lower Cholesterol Levels
However, if the above-mentioned foods are regularly on the menu, the cholesterol level can be lowered with mere nutrition and thus dangerous diseases can be prevented. However, people who have high cholesterol levels should first seek medical advice and talk about targeted measures. (asc)
Editor’s note: The information given in this article does not replace a visit to a doctor. Only experts can make the right diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy. The intake of medication or dietary supplements should be discussed with a doctor beforehand.