Cholesterol is essential to our body in order for it to function normally because it contributes to producing cell membrane and different types of hormones. However, cholesterol as you must have heard is also bad for your health only when in high quantities therefore you should try and keep it in its normal levels. Cholesterol is produced by the liver in our body but it also derives from various foods that we eat; here are the foods high in cholesterol, which you must watch in order to ensure your cholesterol levels stay as desired.
The Difference between the Good and the Bad Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol, good and bad whose functions are as follows: Low-Density Lipoprotein or LDL is found in our blood stream and is considered bad cholesterol because in high quantities it can clog our arteries and promote fatal conditions such as, heart attacks. High-Density Lipoprotein or HDL is the good cholesterol because it helps remove the LDL from the blood stream and brings down your levels and the risks of clogged arteries. The ideal levels of LDL in an average healthy adult are of maximum 160mg/dL and of HDL of minimum 40mg/dL. However, these levels will vary vastly if you have a health conditions that involves heart disorders and only your doctor can indicate with precision what the appropriate levels of cholesterol are for you.
What Are the Foods High In Cholesterol
You will find that surprisingly the foods high in cholesterol are also the ones indicated as healthy in any diet and the fact that they are high in cholesterol does not change that but indicates that even though they are healthy foods they must be consumed in moderate quantities in order to ensure that they don't raise the levels of your bad cholesterol.
Mostly the foods high in cholesterol derive from animal such as, fish, poultry, meat, seafood, egg yolks not the whites so a white egg omelet is in order anytime you feel like and last but definitely not least diary products such as milk, cheese and so on.
The statistics indicate that the liver produces at an average of 1000 milligrams of bad cholesterol a day but it also uses and disposes of it as well. Therefore an average healthy adult should not consume more then approximately 200 milligrams of bad cholesterol a day for women and 300 milligrams for men.
Helpful Tip
In order to monitor your cholesterol levels learn what foods high in cholesterol and the amount you should be eating a day so you don't exceed required bad cholesterol intake. If you already have high cholesterol there are many natural ways in which you can lower it for example through exercise, herbal teas and also prescribed medication by your doctor.
