“I hope I can tell you that it's all about the food we eat,” Avenatti said. “But, unfortunately, that's not really the case…The food we eat contains cholesterol, but most of the cholesterol is in our blood, which… is produced by our own bodies.”
Variations between people are driven more by genetics and how our bodies deal with cholesterol than by dietary choices, Avenatti explained.
“We want to talk more about patterns, just because no food is absolutely harmful. I think eating in moderation is still key,” she said.
What you eat most of the time is more important than a one-time burger or steak. Additionally, unless your diet consists solely of fried and processed foods, you're probably fine.
“[One-off food choices are] “As long as you follow a reasonable diet, the impact is much smaller than people think,” she said.
However, dietary choices are especially important for people with high triglycerides. According to Avenatti, high triglycerides, which are also measured during cholesterol tests, have more to do with the food you eat.
“Processed foods, fried foods, butter, shortenings of all kinds, full-fat dairy products, cheese, all of which definitely influence triglyceride levels, and there are likely many more that are directly influenced by diet. ” she said.
High triglycerides can also be affected by refined carbohydrates, Auguste added. “So if you're eating a lot of white bread, white pasta, or crackers that don't have fiber, you should think about how you're adding fiber to your diet, so you can reduce triglycerides. Because we can make sure it doesn't get too expensive.''
This might mean mixing white beans into your pasta, or switching to chickpea or lentil pasta, Auguste added.
Some people may also need medication to lower their cholesterol. As mentioned above, genetics have a large influence on cholesterol levels, and there are limits to simply changing your diet.
While many people complain, side effects Regarding cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, Avenatti emphasized that there are other medical options. If you've been prescribed a medication for high cholesterol but don't take it or don't like its effects, you should see your doctor, ask why the medication was prescribed, and ask about alternatives, Avenatti said. To tell.
Overall, it's important to follow a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, a nutritious diet, enough sleep, and managing medications as needed.
Mr. Avenatti is the president of the American Heart Association. necessities of life 8 Guidelines for maintaining cardiovascular health at all times. These guidelines combine a variety of healthy lifestyle interventions, including diet, sleep, exercise, and smoking cessation.
This article was first published HuffPost.
