All About Lowering your LDL Cholesterol levels

Over the years, the medical community has delivered a very wise and loud message: To reduce the intake of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat because they raise your cholesterol levels. However, this recommendation has altered slightly as research has progressed. A new factor in elevated cholesterol has been added - the trans fatty acids, and dietary cholesterol is now considered less of a factor.

Apparently, things do not stand like they used to - high cholesterol foods are not considered to be the same culprits they once were. Recent researches have shown that all foods that have an elevated cholesterol level are actually relatively low in saturated fat.

For example, shellfish and egg yolks have a very small raise on the LDL levels. Even though an egg contains about 213mg of cholesterol, the American Heart Association now allows eggs in the diet. However, for persons with an LDL level above specific target levels and for those who have cardiovascular or diabetes, the guidelines limit cholesterol to 200mg/dL, while for the general population, the limit is set to a maximum of 300 mg/dL. But remember that you are very likely to surpass the recommended ceiling on cholesterol if you consume cholesterol containing foods like meat and dairy products, along with an egg for breakfast (as a simple example).

It's much healthier and easier to limit how much high-level cholesterol food you eat. One of the benefits of limiting these foods is that you avoid heavy saturated fat sources like red meat. Remember to always have your cholesterol levels checked and work with your doctor on a dietary plan to fix the amount of cholesterol your body can easily manage.

LDL cholesterol levels can be elevated as much as saturated fat, molecule for molecule by trans fatty acids. Trans fatty acids are generally found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Besides rising the blood cholesterol levels, they also raise blood fats and triglycerides increasing the risks for a heart disease and even a stroke. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are the source for most of the trans fatty acids. These vegetable oils are an ingredient in a great number of food products. Instant hot chocolate, bread and cookies, breakfast cereals, salad dressings, muffins, pie crusts and frozen dinners - all of these contain these kinds of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils that can be very harmful to your body.

The best way to avoid these trans fatty acids is to eat your meals as natural as you can - with fresh fruits and vegetables rather than eating frozen meals or processed foods. Also, you can keep the trans fats from your plate by cooking your own meals using unrefined oils.

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