Low cholesterol diet
An elevated blood cholesterol level can increase the risk of heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction (MI) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Heart attacks most commonly occur due to clogged arteries (atherosclerosis). Factors that add to the risk of atherosclerosis include obesity, elevated blood lipids, hypertension, diabetes and smoking. Coronary heart disease, which causes heart attack and angona, is the single leading cause of death in America with 425,425 deaths in 2006 (about one of every six deaths) [1]. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (USA), if all forms of major cardiovascular disease were eliminated, life expectancy would rise by almost 7 years. If all forms of cancer were eliminated, the estimated gain would be 3 years [2].
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance (lipid) and an important component of cell membranes, the nerve tissue, and a source of hormones. It is transported in the blood by lipoproteins.
There are several types of lipoproteins, with the two major types being LDL and HDL.
LDL (low density lipoprotein)
LDL transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues. A high LDL value indicates that there is a high level of cholesterol circulating in the body.
The excess tissue from the non-absorbed-LDL attaches to damaged vessel walls and leads to plaque formation, which can eventually cause atherosclerosis.
HDL (high density lipoprotein)
HDL is sometimes labeled as “good cholesterol” since it is hypothesized that HDL can remove cholesterol from atheroma within arteries and transport it back to the liver for excretion or re-utilization.
Investigation of cholesterol levels
A blood sample is taken, preferably during a period of fasting, which determines the total cholesterol level as well as the LDL and HDL levels.
The total cholesterol content in blood is only a first sign of an incorrect lipometabolism. While a higher HDL is good for vascular health, an increased LDL can be harmful.
Generally, the more risk factors that are present (smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes), the lower the total cholesterol will have to be to prevent atherosclerosis.
Generally accepted blood fat levels vary as they always have to be seen in relation to other risk factors and life circumstances.
If elevated blood fat levels are found one should undertake a lifestyle change to prevent atherosclerosis and heart attack[3]. However, there are also genetic factors that may lead to a disturbed fat metabolism.
Therapy
The first therapeutic approach to bring the blood fat levels into a normal healthy range should be a change of lifestyle. The reduction of obesity through daily exercise and eating a balanced healthy diet are ways how one can manage their cholesterol levels.
Elevated cholesterol levels can be reduced by a change in diet, which can already make itself felt a few weeks after introduction by an improvement in cholesterol levels[4].
The American Heart Association recommends that you limit your average daily cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams per day[5]. For example, 100 grams of fried egg contain 480 milligrams of cholesterol[6]. But the cholesterol content of a food affects blood cholesterol levels less than the kind and quantity of dietary fat consumed in total. The content of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids of the food play an important role. The less saturated fat, the better. Saturated fats are found primarily in animal fats like butter, meat and sausages, and dairy products. Coconut and palm kernel oil contain lots of saturated fat and should be avoided. For example, foods that contain no cholesterol are most fruits, vegetables, salads, rice, and potatoes.[7]
Particular attention should be paid to a diet high in dietary fiber (about 30 grams per day is recommended) as this can reduce blood cholesterol levels by binding bile acid, causing the liver to produce new bile acid for which it needs cholesterol that it gets from the blood, and thus reducing LDL-cholesterol. Important dietary fiber sources include: whole grains, potatoes, fruits and vegetables. It is also important to have an adequate fluid intake (water, unsweetened fruit and herbal teas for example).
A large amount of cholesterol-lowering foods such as margarine or yogurt should not be consumed by children or healthy people, as a cholesterol deficiency may have negative consequences.
Often the administration of medications is also necessary for managing cholesterol levels.
DELICARDO Foodcards
An uncomplicated way to inform service personal about a low cholesterol diet when eating out, for example in restaurants or catered events, is through the use of DELICARDO Foodcards, also known as restaurant allergy cards, chef cards or food allergy and intolerance cards. DELICARDO Foodcards make sticking to a diet easier and have been recognized by the European Center for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) as a product that can help give back quality of life despite allergies.
For standard low cholesterol DELICARDO foodcards click here (coming soon)
To create a personalised low cholesterol diet DELICARDO Foodcard click here
More Resources:
The American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
The British Heart foundation
http://www.bhf.org.uk/
The Heart Foundation of New Zealand
http://www.nhf.org.nz/
The National Heart Foundation of Australia
www.heartfoundation.org.au
The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa
http://www.heartfoundation.co.za/
German Heart Foundation
http://www.herzstiftung.de/
National Center for Health Statistics
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/
[1] http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4591
[2] http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.192667
[3] http://www.apotheken-umschau.de/Erhoehte-Bluttfettwerte-Cholesterin/Erhoehte-Blutfettwerte-Diagnostik-A050829ANONI013151-7.html
[4] http://www.apotheken-umschau.de/Erhoehte-Bluttfettwerte-Cholesterin/Erhoehte-Blutfettwerte-Selbsthilfe-A050829ANONI013151-9.html
[5] http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4488
[6] http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/cholesterol/cholesterol-eggs.html
[7] Http://www.apotheken-umschau.de/Erhoehte-Bluttfettwerte-Cholesterin/Was-Sie-ueber-Cholesterin-wissen-sollten-A100225MEMAQ129594/Welche-Lebensmittel-enthalten-viel-Cholesterin-A100225MEMAQ129594-5.html