High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is an important component of every cell structure and is needed for healthy brain and nerve function.  However, a high blood cholesterol level, especially LDL cholesterol, is believed to contribute to plaque building up in the arteries restricting necessary blood flow to the brain, kidneys, genitals, extremities, and heart.  High cholesterol is a main contributor of heart disease because it causes buildup and blockage of the arteries. It may also contribute to gallstones, impotence, mental impairment, and high blood pressure. High cholesterol is also known to be related to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, circulatory problems, heart attack, hypertension, and osteoporosis.

It is important to eat cholesterol lowering foods including almonds, apples, bananas, carrots, cold water fish, dried beans, garlic, grapefruit, oats, olive oil, salmon, strawberries, oat bran, brown rice bran, and walnuts. Be sure to eat plenty of water soluble fiber in the form of barley, beans, brown rice, fruits, glucomannan, guar gum, and oats. Drink fresh carrot, celery, and beet juices. Use only unrefined cold- or expeller-pressed oils.  Eat low fat dairy products only skinless white poultry meat in moderation. Do not eat any nuts except raw, unsalted pecans, walnuts, and almonds. Avoid saturated fat and cholesterol including animal fat, coconut, and palm kernel oils. Do not consume hydrogenated fats, margarine, lard, and butter as well as alcohol, cakes, candy, carbonated drinks, coffee, gravies, nondairy creamers, pies, processed or refined foods, tea, tobacco, and white bread.