​Healthy cholesterol, getting to the heart of the matter

If recent statistics are anything to go by, over half of all adults in the UK have high cholesterol. Most will have had a diagnosis from a healthcare practitioner, but many aren't even aware their cholesterol levels are too high. Here we take a look at what cholesterol is, what causes high cholesterol and how to lower cholesterol through healthy eating and dietary swaps.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat or lipid found in all cells in the body. It forms part of the cell’s outer layer and it is transported around the body in blood attached to a protein. This combination of fat and protein is called a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins can be high density (HDL) or low density (LDL).

Healthy cholesterol

Although we often hear how cholesterol is bad for us, and too much of the wrong type is, some cholesterol is actually essential for good health. The key to healthy cholesterol is balance: high levels of HDL and low levels of LDL.

Sitting comfortably? Here’s the low-down on those lipoproteins…

The difference between HDL and LDL

High density or HDL cholesterol is mostly made up of protein and a small amount of fat. It helps to protect against heart disease by transporting fats away from the arteries and is often referred to as ‘good’ cholesterol.

Low density or LDL cholesterol is made up of mostly fat and a small amount of protein. It can cause cholesterol levels to build up in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and is often referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol.

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol levels may need to be judged on an individual basis but here are some general guidelines on good and bad cholesterol:

Total cholesterol levels are believed to be best below 5

HDL levels are believed to be best above 1.5

LDL levels are believed to be best below 3; levels over 4.5 are thought to be high.

What causes high cholesterol?

Various factors can influence cholesterol levels. Many of these are linked to diet and lifestyle, though sometimes high cholesterol can run in families too.

Cholesterol is produced naturally within the body and some comes from the foods you eat. Dietary cholesterol is mainly found in eggs, liver and shellfish (prawns). Eating foods that are naturally high in cholesterol doesn’t usually raise your cholesterol levels. Most cholesterol is made by the body, in the liver, so it doesn’t need cholesterol from food.

However, cholesterol levels are influenced by the foods you eat, fats especially. Saturated fats (found in meat, cheese, butter, cream and pastries) are the biggest culprits. They raise your LDL levels of cholesterol, which increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.

How to reduce high cholesterol

Diet has a huge role to play when trying to keep cholesterol in check. If you’ve been told you have high cholesterol, eating a healthy diet can make a huge difference, especially if you’re overweight.

Reduce your intake of saturated fats and replace them with unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats actually help to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol and are found in vegetable oils, sunflower spreads, nuts and avocados. Coconut oil and butters are generally believed to be better for you as they are heat-stable and do not create toxic trans-fats when heated, nor do they raise cholesterol levels.

Fibre also helps to reduce LDL cholesterol, so eat more oat or rice bran, wholegrains (brown rice, whole wheat, millet and quinoa) and any beans (red kidney, soya etc). For extra fibre you could try supplementing with linseed; it has a gentle bulking effect but needs to be taken with plenty of water.

And increase your intake of heart-healthy fruit and veg: bananas, tomatoes and broccoli are all good sources of potassium, which can help to support a healthy heart.

Nutrients to lower cholesterol

In addition to healthy food choices, specific nutrients can also help to lower cholesterol.

Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid may help to maintain healthy levels of an amino acid called homocysteine. Too much has been linked with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease, and so balanced levels of homocysteine may help maintain a healthy heart and vascular system. TMG (tri-methyl-glycine) also supports healthy homocysteine metabolism.

Red yeast rice extract contains plant sterols that have been found to help reduce cholesterol levels and co-enzyme Q10 is thought to have a beneficial effect on blood pressure and cholesterol.

As far as herbal remedies for cholesterol go, Jan de Vries prized both Hawthorn and Garlic highly and wrote extensively about both herbs. You can find both in our Jan de Vries Hawthorn-Garlic complex.

See more heart related products here.