Hi beloved,
Cholesterol is a substance produced by the liver in your body which is waxy in nature. It's the substance which your body uses to protect nerves, to make cell tissues and also in the production of certain hormones.
Of course, it's quite true that some cholesterol is needed for the good health of the body; and that all the cholesterol the body needs is made by the liver.
However, there's additional cholesterol which enters the body via the food we eat such as: EGGS, MEAT & DAIRY PRODUCTS to name but a few. These extra intake of cholesterol may be too much for the body and have negative impacts on one's health.
With too much cholesterol in your blood, your risk of having heart attack or a stroke could be really high.
The extra cholesterol in your blood may be stored up in your blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. These blood vessels are medically called ARTERIES.
When cholesterol is stored up in the ARTERIES, there's buildup of cholesterol in the ARTERIES which develops a situation called PLAQUE. What the palque does in your arteries is that it will cause your arteries to narrow and harden. Even large deposits of cholesterol can completely block an artery.
If an artery that supplies blood to the muscles in your heart becomes blocked, a heart attack can occur. If an artery that supplies blood to your brain becomes blocked, a stroke can occur. So you see how dangerous it could be to one's health.
Please, be sure to check on the other questions concerning same subject to increase your undersatnding of this substance. And if you are having trouble with it, please, be sure to consult your doctor and follow his instruction carefully.
May God bless you with a good health.
THE TEAM @ AMMGOSPEL
Cholesterol Problem 1/Counsel 1, & 2,
Hi Sir, What Actually Is Called Cholesterol? And Why Is It Unhealthy To The Body? Much Thanks.
Hello Sister,
Thank you for calling in with your question. We are grateful to God for you that at 19 you've got that ardent passion to want to help a friend out. Keep the flame burning.
The desire to keep the cholesterol level at normal or close to that via the food one eats, probably, brings to mind that he or she may be aware of the body's current cholesterol level. And we are glad you did in your friend's case.
However, while food intake or the kinds of food we eat is important to controlling the level of our cholesterol, it must be said that it is not the only method to achieving such a goal. There are a variety of ways to help lower the level of cholesterol as well.
First of all, you should let him know that keeping in touch with his doctor is very important. As a victim, the doctor should be able to monitor his condition on a regular basis. A dietitian can be very helpful too.
Second, the Geographic Location of the patient must be considered. The doctor or dietitian may be able to help list the food to take or give you sort of low cholesterol menu from what is available within certain regions. This is important because we realize that some food aren't available in all places or parts of the world equally due to political & economic reasons, war & famine and other factors as well. So the doctor or dietitian within particular regions or country or states, may be able to list you what kinds of food to eat in accordance to what is available within your region or country and within your economic power to afford it.
Changes could be made to substitute food stuffs. But, like we've said above, whatever change is made or whatever food you prefer to eat would certainly come from or be available within your area, locality or nation. We do counsel not just for mental knowledge only but help put it in the context of the recipients to see that it particularly benefits them wherever they come from.
Third, Lifestyle Changes should be considered. It's a fact that it may be necessary for him to make some lifestyle changes generally if he is to keep the level of cholesterol at normal. We must comment that it's already a good step forward that he desires to change the kinds of food he eats.
He should consider to stop smoking, if he smokes; and to exercise regularly, these do a lot to lower it. If that person is overweight, considering losing weight is a helpful idea as well.
Fourth, the Avoidance of Saturated Fat and Trans Fats is a healthy idea. Eating too many high-fat foods not only adds excess calories (which can lead to obesity and weight gain), but can increase your risk factor for several diseases. Heart disease, diabetes, certain types of cancer and osteoarthritis have all been linked to diets too high in fat. If you consume too much saturated and trans fats, you are more likely to develop high cholesterol and coronary artery disease.
Fifth, A Help To Low Fat Menu.
Add Vegetables & Fruits As Part Of Low Cholesterol Menu
One with a higher lever of Cholesterol is to Eat much of Vegetables, Plenty of Fruits. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat. They add flavor and variety to your diet too. They also contain fiber, vitamins and minerals. whole grains and fish- all of which promote heart health.
It's a good idea that all vegetables taken raw, or steamed, broiled, baked or tossed with a very small amount of olive oil and salt and pepper which is much better to fried vegetables or vegetables served with cream, cheese or butter sauces.
Baked, mashed and boiled potatoes or sweet potatoes is better than French fries, hash browns and potato chips. Avoid using Coconut & its oil.
Whole-grain breads are low in fat too; they're also high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, which helps you feel fuller longer and prevents overeating. All these promote heart health. Choose these breads for sandwiches and as additions to meals.
Choose skim milk or low-fat buttermilk. Substitute evaporated skim milk for cream in recipes for soups and sauces.
Avoid rich bakery foods such as donuts, sweet rolls and muffins. These foods can contain more than 50% fat calories. Snacks such as angel food cake and gingersnap cookies can satisfy your sweet tooth without adding fat to your diet.
Add Meat As Part Of Low Cholesterol Menu
For Beef, Pork, Veal and Lamb; baking, broiling and roasting are the healthiest ways to prepare meat. Lean cuts can be pan-broiled or stir-fried. Use either a nonstick pan or nonstick spray coating instead of butter or margarine.
Trim outside fat before cooking. Trim any inside, separable fat before eating. Select low-fat, lean cuts of meat. Lean beef and veal cuts have the word "loin" or "round" in their names. Lean pork cuts have the word "loin" or "leg" in their names.
Use herbs, spices, fresh vegetables and nonfat marinades to season meat. Avoid high-fat sauces and gravies.
Add Poultry As Part Of Low Cholesterol Menu
Baking, broiling and roasting are the healthiest ways to prepare poultry. Skinless poultry can be pan-broiled or stir-fried. Use either a nonstick pan or nonstick spray coating instead of butter or margarine.
Remove skin and visible fat before cooking. Chicken breasts are a good choice because they are low in fat and high in protein. Use domestic goose and duck only once in a while because both are high in fat.
Add Fish As Part Of Low Cholesterol Menu
Poaching, steaming, baking and broiling are the healthiest ways to prepare fish. Fresh fish should have a clear color, a moist look, a clean smell and firm, springy flesh. If good-quality fresh fish isn't available, buy frozen fish.
Most seafood is low in saturated fat. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in some fatty fish, such as salmon and cold water trout. They may help lower the risk of heart disease in some people.
Possible Foods Changes
Dry beans, peas and lentils offer protein and fiber without the cholesterol and fat that meats have. Once in a while, try substituting beans for meat in a favorite recipe, such as lasagna or chili.
Textured vegetable protein (TVP), is widely available in many foods. Vegetarian "hot dogs," "hamburger" and "chicken nuggets" are low-fat, cholesterol-free alternatives to meat.
Having said all that which could help make the changes he desires in his feeding habits, we must say that there are also medication to lower the cholesterol level.
Depending on your risk factors, if for six months to one year, your doctor may suggest medication to lower your cholesterol level. But be sure to follow your doctor's counsels carefully and let your friend keep in touch with his doctor on a constant basis.
Again we are glad you desired helping someone out. May the Lord be gracious to you and your family. May He grant you a good health and a long life in Jesus' Name. Amen.
With lots of love in Christ,
Rev. Dr. P.C. AKUBUEZE & TEAM
