Foods with high cholesterol
Cholesterol is present in large quantities in food such as egg yolk, liver, kidneys, other meat offal, processed meats and fish roe. Overweight people tend to have raised cholesterol levels and higher LDL and triglycerides. Eating less fat and taking more exercise will help lower the average cholesterol level. If the cholesterol level does not respond to the measures to help lower it, then the doctor may think it wise to prescribe some medication. For high levels of fat in the blood called hyperlipidaemia, lipid-lowering drugs may be recommended.People with diabetes have an increased risk of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis and are often prescribed medication at an earlier stage for lowering lipid levels and reducing their blood pressure. Lipid lowering drugs help prevent the patches of atheroma from forming and also may help reduce those that are already there. The choice of drug depends on the type of lipid causing the problem and should be taken in conjunction with a low-fat diet, losing weight if this is appropriate and giving up smoking.
Men over 35 and women over 45 should have their cholesterol checked. Depending on whether there are any other risk factors and whether your cholesterol reading is high or not will determine how often it should be measured in future. Ask your doctor or the nurse who carries out the test how often they think it is advisable to have your cholesterol measured.
Your doctor will advise if you should take a statin or other lipid lowering medicine. Medicines that can be used are fibrates, drugs that bind to bile salts and also drugs which act on the liver itself, and nicotinic acid and derivatives. Which medicine is best depends on the type of lipid causing the problem.
How to lower your cholesterol
If your cholesterol is very high then advice from a dietitian may be advised. There are also simple measures, which may help. Try:- Limiting saturated fat such as dairy products e.g. butter, full-fat cheese, full-fat milk and ice cream. Choose low-fat alternatives.
- Do not eat too many eggs in a week and eat less liver and other organ meat.
- Eat at least five servings of fruit or vegetables a day.
- Grill rather than fry food and remove the skin from chicken.
- Choose lean cuts of meat and cut off any fat. Eat smaller than usual portions of meat.
- Eat whole foods as these have more fibre, rather than refined foods such as white bread.
- Eat several portions of fish a week as this can have a protective effect.
(published with permission in writing from:http://www.stroke.org.uk)
