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Cholesterol Metabolism and a healthy heart

May 5th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Cholesterol often gets a bad rap because we are taught to associate it with clogged arteries. Cholesterol actually plays an important role in maintaining good health. It helps produce bile acids which are used to digest our fat intake. It is an abundance of cholesterol in our diets that can cause negative health effects. Cholesterol metabolism refers to the body’s ability to break down the cholesterol, preventing it from being stored as plaque. There are many factors to be learned about cholesterol and the role it plays on our health.

Cholesterol can be found in many foods. Some of these foods provide good cholesterol while others provide bad cholesterol. A diet high in bad cholesterol can lead to the build up of plaque in our coronary arteries. Studies also show a link between coronary artery disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Foods that are high in fat and sugar contribute to bad cholesterol levels.

It is important to know that we can control cholesterol levels with foods that provide cholesterol metabolism. We all know we need to limit fatty foods like butter, ice cream, and fatty meats. The general rule with meat is if it contains the word “rib”, stay away from it. Fatty fish, soy protein, and oat bran can all work as cholesterol metabolism agents. Eating balanced quantities of these foods could prevent you from having to take cholesterol lowering medication.

Choosing The Right Foods For Cholesterol Metabolism

Fatty fish contain the heart healthy Omega 3 fatty acid. This can help lower triglycerides when eaten as part of a healthy diet. Some examples of fatty fish are tuna, salmon, sardines, and mackerel. It is important to eat these fish broiled and not fried. Frying negates the healthy aspect of these fish. Grilling is a good way to add flavor while maintaining a healthy balance of Omega 3.

Butter and margarine are two fats you will want to avoid as much as possible. There are now alternatives available that provide you with a tasty spread without sacrificing taste. Some of these alternative spreads contain healthy olive oil and some are actually made with yogurt.

Oatmeal is considered a fantastic cholesterol metabolism food. Many people feel that it is only a breakfast food but it can actually be incorporated into many foods at other meals. One example is making a meat loaf using lean ground meat and oatmeal as a filler. Oatmeal or oat bran can be added to homemade rolls and bread as a way of incorporating fiber into your diet. Putting oatmeal in a blender can provide a healthy coating for meat which can be used instead of bread crumbs.

Venison offers a healthy alternative to eating beef. Many processing houses will give you the venison for the cost of the processing. Because of the low fat content, venison is one of the healthier choices for meat consumption.

With careful planning you should be able to avoid cholesterol build-up in your arteries by making smart choices in your diet. You do not have to give up taste in order to eat a heart healthy diet.