How to fight cholesterol?

Although cholesterol can do a lot of damage to the human body, it is also necessary for it. What to eat to keep cholesterol normal and what to avoid? What are the first symptoms of high cholesterol levels? Remember that a proper diet will help to lower the concentration of "bad cholesterol" and help in the fight against cardiovascular diseases.

All cardiovascular diseases are the greatest threat to human life and health. They are also the most common illnesses, which brings with it a high level of morbidity of the so-called "civilization diseases". So what to eat to avoid the development of cardiovascular diseases?

Avoid what?

Reducing the consumption of animal fats is a priority to reduce high cholesterol levels. In practice, this means that consumption of animal products must be reduced and shifted to products with natural vegetable fats. What is important, coconut and palm oil are not recommended in the anti-cholesterol diet, because they contain a high amount of saturated fatty acids.

When lowering cholesterol, trans fats should be absolutely avoided. Consequently, consumption of cooked, industrially manufactured confectionery products, i.e. any cookies or cakes, should be discontinued. What is more, you should stop eating instant dishes, i.e. all soups and sauces in the form of powder. You should also not eat chocolate sweets, fast food or foods based on deep-fried products.

What diseases cause elevated cholesterol?

• Hypercholesterolemia - high level of cholesterol, which is the most common hereditary disease, caused by the damage of one gene responsible for the formation of a receptor for the LDL fraction.
• Parkinson's disease - plasma lipid profile counting in Parkinson's disease patients suggested a significant involvement of cholesterol in the management of the disease. It has been proven that some compounds cause the death of nerve cells.
• Alzheimer's disease - it has been proven that cholesterol plays an important role in the modification of the protein precursor. As a consequence, this leads to disorders in the metabolism of the nerve cells. Excessive cholesterol causes increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier.
• Atherosclerosis - its formation is closely related to abnormalities in lipid metabolism, manifested by an increase in the level of total cholesterol and LDL fraction, as well as a decrease in HDL fraction in plasma.
• Chronic kidney disease - manifests itself as progressive kidney dysfunction. However, there are no characteristic symptoms that would allow an unambiguous diagnosis.