Secrets of Low Cholesterol Diets Revealed
Today, heart disease is at epidemic proportions in our society. Eighty million (80,000,000) Americans currently suffer from at least one cardiovascular disease problem, and 17 million people worldwide die of Cardiovascular disease each year. CVD is currently the leading cause of death, even above cancer.
Despite $280,000,000 dollars in medical health care and associated costs, the problem is much more manageable than it seems. While the problem is no secret, what many people do not know is how much diet and lifestyle influence this disease, and how easily treatable and even preventable it really is!
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The modern food industry has spawned a vast array of processed, synthesized food products which have become a regular part of our diet, and a significant part of our problem. Characteristics of a low cholesterol diet are actually very similar to those of the naturally healthy eating habits of our ancestors, and possess the following characteristics:
Balanced fat foods: Lack of artificial trans fats found in hydrogenated vegetable oils. Limited levels of saturated fats from animal sources. Balanced 1 to 1 ratio levels of Omega-3 and Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (the typical western diet is 50:1!), and mono unsaturated fats to maintain HDL and lower triglycerides.
Increased dietary fiber: Higher levels of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, usually found in plant sources. 20 to 25 grams daily of this digestion aiding, cholesterol lowering food is recommended, the current average diet contains far less than half that amount.
Plants!: Fruits and Vegetables contain very high amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Many vegetables are also very low on the glycemic index. Amazing quantities of antioxidants, micro nutrients, and phytochemicals are constantly being discovered in both fruits and vegetables which have powerful positive affects on the body. The natural sugars found in fruit are also slower digesting and better alternatives than many of the refined sugars found in processed alternatives.
Leaner Meat: Red meat contains high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol. White meat and poultry (such as chicken or turkey) is very low fat, and makes an excellent alternative. Fish (when free from modern contaminants such as mercury) is among the healthiest foods which can be consumed, high in proteins and omega-3 fatty acids essential for our brains and nervous systems. It is also low in saturated fat.
Cooking Oil: While not often consumed in large quantities naturally (especially when heated – even more dangerous), healthy alternatives to conventional cooking oil include olive, almond, canola, peanut, sesame, peanut, palm, Cocoa, and others. This should always be used sparingly to avoid potentially fatal trans fatty acids as much as possible.
Natural, healthy, unprocessed food diets not only help treatment and prevention of cardiovascular complications over the course of a lifetime, they are often much better tasting than refined, factory produced alternatives. As your body grows accustomed to them, you gain the ability to appreciate the natural tastes found in the foods much more than the overpowering chemicals labeled as food by the industry.
Fun physical activities and a natural low cholesterol diet are the real solutions to the catastrophic epidemics facing our well being. Let the secret out about your health!
October 9, 2008
Tags: lower cholesterol Posted in: cholesterol diet
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