High Cholesterol Foods May be Good For You!

High Cholesterol Foods May Actually Be Good For You Yes you heard right. We have been so engrained into thinking that high cholesterol foods are bad for your heart that we’ve taught ourselves to keep away from these potentially damaging foods. Heart disease is no laughing matter. Especially since government statistics show that more than 1 million people suffer heart attacks each year and ½ million Americans die each year from heart disease. Heart disease has been the number one killer in the US for a half a century and is not showing any change. How come? The whole concept that high cholesterol foods are bad for you originated in the town of Framington, Mass where they studied the effects of high cholesterol on heart disease. The study seemed to prove that there is a correlation, but some say that the evidence is only borderline. Plus, there are many subsequent studies have shown just the opposite. A study sponsored by the German Ministry of Research and Technology showed no link between high cholesterol and heart disease. Similarly, in Japan where the cholesterol levels have risen, there was a drop in heart attacks. China just completed an 8 year study with 10,000 people. One group was on statin drugs to lower cholesterol and the other group just consumed a normal diet. Researchers were astounded when they found a higher incidence of heart attacks in the statin group. The statin group successfully lowered the cholesterol levels but did not arrest the advent of heart disease. There are many more similar studies at home and abroad.

So What's the Real Killer?

It is high cholesterol foods that cause inflammation in the blood vessels. Inflammation can be detected by looking at other scores on your bloodwork besides the cholesterol level. Some indicators include: Creactive protein (CRP). Even though this is non specific to heart disease, people who have a high CRP do tend to develop heart disease. Homocysteine is another indicator, and a low HDL (good cholesterol) along with a ratio of over 4 and above on the Total Cholesterol:HDL ratio

High Cholesterol Foods that cause inflammation include:

• Trans-fats: such as in margarine which even if you don’t use margarine at home, are often used in donuts, muffins, cream cakes and even in many whole wheat products such as breads and crackers. Read the ingredients.
• Fried Foods: frying in temperatures over 300deg Fahrenheit can denature the oils releasing toxins that your body absorbs. Avoid frying foods.
If you must fry your foods, here are some tips: Use olive oil or coconut oil. They retain their stability at higher temperatures. Use a low flame. It will take longer but your food will remain more intact. Sautee using some water. This also keeps the temperature down and is healthier than frying.
• Smoking: even though it is not officially on the list of high cholesterol foods, it plays a major role in creating inflammation in the arteries. Be aware of 2nd hand smoke. Studies have shown that 2nd hand smoke can be just as dangerous.

High Cholesterol Foods that are Good For You

• Coconut oil: Even though it is rated as high in saturated fats, its fat contains medium chain fatty acids which have shown to raise the HDL’s (good cholesterol) and lowering the LDL’s (bad cholesterol).
• Avocados: Even though they are high in saturated fats, studies have shown that they can lower your cholesterol 8% and can raise your HDL levels 15%!
• Nuts: Researchers from Penn State University found that nuts can lower the risk of heart disease between 15-39%. Nuts are high in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Nuts also contain arginine which relaxes the blood vessels to prevent clotting and nuts are high in omega-three fatty acids which are believed to help in the prevention of heart disease.
Nuts Should be eaten raw in order to retain their health benefits and according to the Penn State study, it is recommended to eat three to four tablespoons 5X a week.
• Eggs: has gotten a bad reputation over the years, but they are now finding that eggs may actually be beneficial to your heart. . In fact the whites are high in choline and lecithin which helps reduce homocysteine and break down cholesterol. In 1999, JAMA reported a study done at Harvard University which concluded that eating 2 eggs a day does not cause a health concern. This the conclusion of many other studies as well.

Keep an open mind.

If the cholesterol theory is correct, than little by little we should be seeing a change in the incidence of heart disease. That is not the case. Heart disease is still number one. See for yourself. Look at the studies. Keep an open mind and don’t be swayed by the media.

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