HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL: WHAT DIET SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Although cholesterol is essential for the body to function properly, it becomes dangerous when present in excessive quantities in the blood.

Asymptomatic, hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels in the blood) is usually discovered by chance, during a blood test.

To avoid certain complications, it is essential to rapidly lower high cholesterol levels.

So how can you balance your cholesterol levels through diet?

Here are a few tips:

• Reduce excess saturated fatty acids of animal origin (meat and meat products, cheese, butter, etc.) and trans-fatty acids from partial hydrogenation of fats (pastries, cakes, cookies);
• Moderate dietary cholesterol intake (offal, liver, eggs, etc.);
• Favoring unsaturated fatty acids of animal origin (poultry) and vegetable sources of omega-9 fatty acids (olive oil).

Increase consumption of foods that are sources of dietary fiber (wholegrain cereals and wholegrain bread,

pulses, fruit and vegetables, etc.), especially soluble fiber (oats and barley).