Too much cholesterol (particularly LDL) circulating in your system leads to fatty deposits developing in the arteries. This causes the vessels to narrow and they can eventually become blocked, which can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance that has important roles in our body. Problems can arise however when there is too much of it in our body's cells, putting us at risk of heart disease.
For cholesterol to travel around our in our blood, it uses lipoproteins. There are two key lipoproteins used for this process.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol main job is to carry cholesterol to our cells and deposit it there. It is often referred to as your ‘bad’ cholesterol because when LDL levels are high, it can clog up your arteries.
Conversely, High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is often referred to as your ‘good’ cholesterol because it helps to remove excess cholesterol out of the cells, including the arteries.
Our dietitians can provide dietary suggestions that will improve the ‘heart health’ of your diet. This may including limiting saturated fat, increasing fresh fruit and vegetables, using moderate amounts of unsaturated fats and consuming foods high in soluble fibre. Avoiding foods high in cholesterol all together is often not required.
We are known for our expertise in gastrointestinal (gut / bowel) nutrition and every member of our team has their own additional, specialty areas of nutritional expertise.
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