Your diet plays a role in your cholesterol level, and choosing the right foods can help you keep your readings within the healthy range. When your diet includes too much unhealthy fat, it can cause your cholesterol level to increase, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Unhealthy foods are often high in calories, but the calories on their own have no effect on your cholesterol level. Instead, the types of food you eat have some impact on your cholesterol numbers.
CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body needs to function properly, but you are able to make all that you need. When your blood contains too much cholesterol, plaques can build up on your artery walls, which can restrict the flow of blood or cause clots to form, leading to a stroke or heart attack. The amount of cholesterol in your food is thought to play a small role -- if any -- in your cholesterol level. The type of fats you consume, however, is more likely to have an influence.
CALORIES
The only way calories might influence your blood cholesterol levels is very indirectly. When you take in more calories than you burn, you are likely to gain weight. When you gain enough weight to become overweight or obese, your good cholesterol tends to go down and bad cholesterol tends to go up.
FAT
Foods that contain unhealthy saturated and trans fats contribute to an increase in your cholesterol level. Saturated fats are those that come from animal-based sources of protein, such as eggs, meat, and dairy products. Trans fats are often found in processed foods, such as packaged baked goods and fast foods. Both types of "bad fats" can raise your bad cholesterol and lower your good cholesterol. Instead, it's best to choose unsaturated fats, such as olive oil and other vegetable oils.
RECOMMENDATIONS
While the calories you consume will not influence your cholesterol level one way or the other, the foods you eat make a difference. Limit your intake of foods that contain saturated fat. Nuts, seeds, fish and olive oil are healthy options. MayoClinic.com notes that certain foods may also lower your cholesterol levels, though not because of their calorie content. Oatmeal, high-fiber grains, salmon, halibut, lake trout, nuts, olive oil, fruits and vegetables are all foods that can help you maintain a healthy cholesterol level.
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