Diet rich in fatty foods, junk foods and oily foods are the major risk factors for high cholesterol levels. So a good control on diet will reduce the complications like diabetes, hypertension, stroke and coronary artery disease. Exercise with diet are the primary line of management with

 

Fasting lipid profile

Cholesterol type	Normal	Borderline high	High
Total cholesterol	<200 (mg/dl)	200- 239 (mg/dl)	>240 (mg/dl)
Low-density lipoprotein	<130 (mg/dl)	130- 159 (mg/dl)	>160 (mg/dl)
Triglycerides	<150 (mg/dl)	150- 199 (mg/dl)	>200 (mg/dl)

 

 

HDL levels

HDL cholesterol levels	HDL cholesterol category
<40 mg/dl	Major risk factor for heart disease
40- 59 mg/dl	The higher, the better
>60 mg/dl	Protective against heart

 

 

Which dietary changes can help reduce cholesterol?

1.       Low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet: Diet can have total fat content of less than 30% of calories. Saturated fats in diet can be less than 7% of calories, polyunsaturated fat can be less than or equal to 10% of calories and monounsaturated fat can be around 10-15% of calories. Carbohydrates (complex) content can range from 50-60% of calories.

2.       Foods to avoid are fatty (saturated) foods like butter, cheese, curd, ghee and others, junk foods (oily and spicy foods), carbonated drinks, red meat (lamb and beef), yellow portion of boiled egg

3.       Foods low in saturated fat and low in cholesterol like cereal grains, beans, peas, fruits and vegetables add more soluble fiber. Other foods like whole wheat bread, corn, cereals, whole grains (millets, hominy), fat free skimmed milk, low fat yogurt, vegetable oils (like canola, olive and sunflower oil), white meat fish (herring, sardine), chicken or turkey (skin removed).