Though genes and obesity are the primary cause of cholesterol rise, yet diet becomes the prominent secondary factor for heavy or extra cholesterol in your body. The intake of external cholesterol increases the level of the LDL fats and they increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure.
The liver produces almost 1000 milligram of the cholesterol that are needed for the metabolic functions inside the body. They help in formation of cell bodies, hormonal metabolism, synthesizing vitamin D and for other internal functions. The excessive amount left after the metabolisms are again sent to the bile salts by the liver for excretion. This normal function is not disrupted until the level of the cholesterol rises. The rise in level manipulates the normal function and the rising level goes on accumulating in the lining of the arteries clogging the conventional blood flow.
The foods that increase the degree of cholesterol are foods associated with animal products. The vegetables and fruits don’t produce the cholesterol and hence the consumption don’t affect the normal cholesterol level. The animals produce the cholesterol in their bodies and they pass on to the products like eggs, milk and meat. These foods when consumed increases the amount of the fat particles.
The fats are carried by the lipoproteins in the blood. One is HDL and the other is LDL. The former takes the fats back to the liver for excretion but the later carries the fats from the liver to other sites for metabolic functions. Thus the increase in amount of the LDL causes the deposition of the fats in the walls of the blood vessels causing a number of problems.
Now let’s have a quick look at the foods which are high in cholesterol content.
Meat: Red meat like beef, pork and mutton contains very high level of lipids so moderate the intake of these products. However chicken can be taken since the level in it is low compared to the formers.
Fish: Fish doesn’t have enough cholesterol but more of proteins so they are recommended. But fish liver oils shouldn’t be taken frequently.
Milk and other dairy products: They are another source of high fats and hence should be taken in balanced amount.
Eggs: Eggs too contain the fats that are responsible for the rise of the LDLs in the blood.
These foods if consumed in heavy amounts and without proper body workout or any kind of physical exercise, will definitely increase the risk of heart problems. So, keep a proper check on this.
