Foods good for high cholesterol vs. foods bad for it

Fresh vegetables and fruits contain a variety of antioxidant components.

Among them, strawberries are one of the fruits good for hyperlipidemia, as they contain antioxidants that reduce bad cholesterol while keeping good cholesterol intact.

In particular, nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and peanuts are very good for preventing hyperlipidemia. This is because they contain a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids but little saturated fatty acids; unsaturated fatty acids reduce cholesterol, and nuts help decrease fat and blood sugar levels. Additionally,

Onions help improve blood circulation and increase good cholesterol. In particular, they aid in lowering blood pressure and preventing blood clots, so it is recommended to eat them together with meat.

Blue fish cannot be overlooked. Sardines, anchovies, salmon, mackerel, and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help purify the blood, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and prevent hyperlipidemia.

People with hyperlipidemia should follow a diet that increases the intake of unsaturated fats while reducing trans fats and saturated fats. Foods high in saturated fats include butter, dairy products, cheese, and meat. When eating regularly, the intake of saturated fats should be limited to about 7% or less, and if consuming 2000 kcal per day, the intake of saturated fats should not exceed 240 kcal.

In addition, foods that are not good for high cholesterol include processed meats such as bacon, ham, sausages, butter, coconut oil, and cream. Among these, ham and sausages are foods that doctors consistently warn are risky, so it is especially advisable to avoid them.

No matter how good the oil is, if you heat the oil at high temperatures for a long time, some components can turn into trans fats. Therefore, fried foods can be classified as unhealthy for hyperlipidemia. Consuming foods cooked with trans fats can cause oxidative stress in the body, increasing inflammation. Due to Westernized eating habits, the incidence of chronic diseases is rising significantly among young people, and since chronic diseases require lifelong management, prevention is more important than ever.