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High LDL Cholesterol Diet
I've checked my lipid profile recently and everything seems ok. Actually I'm on a vegetarian diet, eat lots of fruits too. I've learned that everybody needs to eat cholesterol in certain amount during day. I'm concerned about not having enough cholesterol with my diet. Is this a problem? If I want to eat, let's say, some foods that are high in cholesterol, can I eat them just like that or I've to choose? All my worries are to not have both high and low cholesterol problems. Can you clear me up? Thanks. ANSWER: Hi, What I see, your main worries are all about the amount of cholesterol that you need each day. Well, cholesterol is very important to build up your body cells. There are two main sources of cholesterol: 1 - your body (liver produces 80% of your daily cholesterol) 2 - foods you eat (20%). To have balanced cholesterol levels throughout the day, you must take 200 mg cholesterol from your diet (according to National Cholesterol Education Program - NCEP). Other "diet-sources" of cholesterol are: - saturated fats (not exceed more than 7% of calories intake) - trans-fatty acids (very small amounts) - mono-unsaturated fats (20%) and poly-unsaturated fats (10%). With the help of a dietitian you may calculate your daily calories, and the amounts of cholesterol and other fats intake together with sugar. Since you're a vegetarian, you're mostly taking mono and poly-unsaturated fats(because vegetables are rich in mono and poly unsaturated fats). And this is good. You must add cold-water fish and you have all the nutritional elements you need for your day, staying always safe-healthy. Take care! Dr.Alba |