Cholesterol is one of the beneficial substances involved in metabolism. Cholesterol is released from products of animal origin.
Cholesterol is a lipophilic alcohol that plays a role in the formation of cell membranes, the synthesis of certain hormones and vitamins, and other metabolic processes.
Cholesterol is necessary for the body, but its high content can lead to cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol is transported with the bloodstream in the body by carriers: high and low density lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins are called "bad" cholesterol, and when they increase in the blood, the risk of cardiovascular pathology increases significantly. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend lowering the level. However, a decrease in high-density lipoproteins increases the risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol levels in the blood of healthy people are 5 mol / l and below. Cholesterol intake in healthy people should not exceed 300 mg a day, and high blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) should not exceed 200 mg a day.
General description of the diet
A high-cholesterol diet aims to reduce the levels of "bad" cholesterol, prevent the development of cardiovascular pathologies, normalize kidney and liver function, activate metabolic processes, and improve blood circulation.
The diet must comply with the principle of mechanical frugality, which has a beneficial effect not only on the digestive system but also on the cardiovascular system.
A diet high in cholesterol meets 10 and 10C. treatment table no.
The treatment table for high cholesterol includes restrictions on salt and fats (mainly of animal origin).
Table characteristics (per day):
- energy value from 2190 to 2570 kcal;
- proteins - 90 gr. , of which 55-60% is of animal origin;
- fats 70-80 gr. , of which at least 30 gr. vegetable;
- carbohydrate not more than 300 gr. for overweight, normal weight 350 gr.
Diet Basics
Diet
Fractional meals, 5 times a day. This allows you to reduce food rations and suppress hunger between meals.
Temperature
The temperature of the food is normal, there are no restrictions.
Salt
The amount of table salt is limited to 3-5 grams. The dishes are prepared unsalted and, if necessary, salted at the table. Salt causes fluid retention in the body, which increases the load on the cardiovascular system.
Liquid
Use free fluid up to 1. 5 liters (emptying the cardiovascular and urinary system).
Alcohol
Alcohol, especially concentrated drinks, should be avoided. But doctors recommend (in the absence of contraindications) to take 50-70 ml of natural red wine at night, which contains flavonoids with antioxidant properties (so dry red wine protects the walls of blood vessels from the formation of atherosclerotic plaques). In addition, there is a strict smoking ban.
Weight
Obese and overweight people need to normalize their weight. Excess fat in the body is an additional source of "bad" cholesterol and makes it harder for the heart and blood vessels to work.
Foods high in lipotropic substances and vitamins
Preference should be given to fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins C and P, group B, potassium and magnesium salts. These vitamins protect the blood vessel walls due to their antioxidant effects, and potassium and magnesium are involved in the heart rhythm.
Fats
Where possible, vegetable fats should be replaced where possible. Vegetable fats are cholesterol-free and have a high vitamin E (antioxidant) content on the walls of blood vessels.
Prohibited foods due to high cholesterol
The list of foods banned because of high cholesterol contains primarily animal fats - these are the sources of "bad" cholesterol.
You also need to deny the easily digestible carbohydrates that are converted to fats and consequently cholesterol.
Do not eat foods that activate and irritate the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
The food should be steamed, cooked or baked. Bakery products are not included because low-density lipoproteins and carcinogens are formed during baking. We consume almost all vegetables cooked because crude fiber causes large amounts of bloating.
List of prohibited products:
- rich fresh bread, yeast and puff pastry products, pancakes, baked pies, pancakes, pasta made from soft wheat (contains easily digestible carbohydrates);
- high-fat whole milk, high-fat cottage cheese, sour cream, cheeses;
- fried and boiled eggs (especially yolk - a source of saturated fat);
- soups in concentrated and fatty fish and broths, mushroom soups;
- fatty meats (lamb, pork), poultry (ducks, geese), chicken skins, in particular fried, sausages, sausages;
- fatty fish, caviar, salted fish, canned fish, fried fish with margarine and solid fats;
- solid fats (fat, margarine, cooking oil);
- squid, shrimp;
- natural coffee brewed from beans (fat is released from the beans during brewing);
- vegetables, especially coconut and salted nuts fried in solid fat (chips, french fries, soup);
- mayonnaise, sour cream and cream sauces;
- confectionery creams, chocolate, cocoa, cakes, ice cream.
Approved products
Foods recommended in a high cholesterol diet should contain high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids, which are sources of "good" cholesterol.
This is especially true for fish that contain omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids. Fish is also a source of vitamin D.
High levels of soluble fiber (oatmeal) increase the levels of high-density lipoproteins. Fresh vegetables and fruits contain large amounts of antioxidants that strengthen blood vessel walls. Nuts also contain many antioxidants (vitamin E).
A high cholesterol diet is designed to normalize the proportion of high quality lipoproteins (increase) and the proportion of low quality lipoproteins (down).
List of approved products:
- dried or yesterday's bread, made from wholemeal flour, bran bread, durum wheat dough;
- vegetable oils in any quantity, except palm oil (salads are filled with unrefined vegetable oil);
- vegetables: potatoes, cauliflower and white cabbage, carrots (removes toxins), lettuce (source of folic acid), pumpkin, zucchini, beets;
- lean meats and poultry (rabbit, turkey and skinless chicken, veal, lean beef);
- seafood: scallops, oysters, mussels and crustaceans in limited quantities;
- fish, especially marine, low-fat species (fried and cooked): tuna, haddock, flounder, pollock, cod, hake;
- legumes as a source of vegetable protein;
- nuts (walnuts, peanuts) contain large amounts of phospholipids, which reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol, sources of vitamin E;
- onions and garlic, rich in vitamin C, protect blood vessel walls, remove limescale and fat from the body;
- oatmeal, cereals, puddings of other cereals (cereals must be cooked in diluted milk);
- low fat milk, low fat cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir, yoghurt, low fat and unsalted cheeses;
- fruit juices, especially from citrus fruits (many ascorbic acids that strengthen the vessel wall);
- lightly brewed tea, coffee drink with milk, vegetable decoction, rosehips, compotes;
- spices: pepper, mustard, spices, vinegar, lemon, horseradish.
The need for diet
Adherence to a diet regulates the content of high and low density lipoproteins, thereby reducing "bad" cholesterol levels.
The high cholesterol treatment chart allows you to normalize its contents without taking medication. In addition, in people who follow a diet, the blood vessels remain "clean" for a long time, the blood circulation in them is not disturbed, which has a beneficial effect not only on the condition of the cardiovascular system, but also on the skin, nails and hair.
The high amount of antioxidants found in recommended high-cholesterol foods slows skin aging, prevents the development of internal organ pathologies, and increases vitality.
Consequences of not following a diet
High cholesterol in the blood is the first bell for impending atherosclerosis of blood vessels.
In atherosclerosis, plaques form on the walls of the blood vessels, which narrow the lumen of the arteries in the veins, threatening not only circulatory disorders throughout the body, but also dangerous complications such as stroke and heart attack. .
In addition, high cholesterol is a factor in the development of high blood pressure and cerebral atherosclerosis (memory impairment, vision loss, tinnitus, sleep disturbance, dizziness).