Cholesterol is a lipid substance that plays an important physiological function in our body. However, when cholesterol levels are too high, it poses a serious threat to our health. High cholesterol levels are closely related to the development of cardiovascular disease, therefore, people with high cholesterol need to pay special attention to their diet. After long-term research and practice, doctors have concluded that there are two types of foods that people with high cholesterol should avoid. This article will take a closer look at these two types of foods and explain why they can have adverse effects in people with high cholesterol.
First, let's talk about the first group of foods, which are rich in saturated fats. Saturated fat is an unsaturated fatty acid that is mainly found in animal foods such as meat, dairy products, and some vegetable oils. Saturated fats increase cholesterol levels in the body, especially low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), a "bad cholesterol" that deposits atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels, leading to the development of cardiovascular disease.
Secondly, let's talk about the second group of foods, which are rich in trans fats. Trans fat is a synthetic fat that is mainly found in processed foods such as chips, cookies, pastries, etc. Trans fats not only increase cholesterol levels, but also decrease levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), a type of "good cholesterol" that helps remove cholesterol from the body. Therefore, consuming too much trans fats can lead to cholesterol accumulation, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
So, how can people with high cholesterol avoid these two types of foods? First and foremost, they should choose low-fat foods. For example, you can choose lean meats, fish, and legumes as protein** instead of high-fat meats. In addition, they should also choose low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk and low-fat yogurt, to reduce their intake of saturated fat. For vegetable oils, they can choose oils that are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as olive oil, canola oil, etc.
Second, people with high cholesterol should try to avoid processed foods. Processed foods tend to contain a lot of trans fats, therefore, they should choose fresh ingredients for cooking. In addition, they should also avoid fried foods, which are high in fat and can easily lead to elevated cholesterol.
In addition to avoiding these two types of foods, people with high cholesterol should also pay attention to other aspects of their diet. They should increase their intake of dietary fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as dietary fiber can help lower cholesterol levels. In addition, they should also control their salt intake, as a high-salt diet can lead to an increase in blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
In conclusion, people with high cholesterol should avoid foods rich in saturated and trans fats. They can choose low-fat foods for protein and fats** and avoid processed and fried foods. In addition, they should also increase their intake of dietary fiber and control their salt intake. With reasonable dietary adjustments, people with high cholesterol can effectively lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Finally, we should keep in mind the doctor's advice to maintain a healthy diet and stay away from foods with high cholesterol.