What is the recommended diet lo lower cholesterol levels?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 47-year-old male, and I recently checked my health and found out that my cholesterol level is 140 mg/dL. I am wondering if this is considered very high or borderline. If it is high, should I take medication? Can I manage it with dietary changes? What diet should I follow to lower cholesterol? Which foods should I avoid? Is milk high in cholesterol, and should I avoid it altogether, or can I consume it in moderation? Kindly guide.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

High cholesterol levels can contribute to various diseases such as obesity (excess body fat accumulation leading to health risks like diabetes and heart disease), atherosclerosis (build-up of plaque in arteries, restricting blood flow and causing heart attacks or strokes), and stroke (interruption of blood flow to the brain, leading to brain damage or death, often caused by blocked or burst blood vessels).

Here are the classifications for cholesterol levels:

Less than 200 mg/dL: Normal.
201 to 239 mg/dL: Borderline.
240 mg/dL and above: Raised.

Based on this classification, your cholesterol levels are normal, so no medication is required.

Raised cholesterol levels can lead to non-communicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, obesity, and certain cancers. It is advisable to keep cholesterol levels under control.

I suggest the following preventive measures:

Diet modification:

Choose cooking oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Reduce consumption of fried foods like chips.
Include more fruits in your diet; fiber helps reduce the absorption of triglycerides in the intestines.
Milk is nutritious and does not need to be stopped entirely.

Physical activity: To help manage cholesterol levels, aim for 30 to 45 minutes of daily physical activity, such as walking, running, or brisk walking.

Regular monitoring: Considering your age, an annual complete blood profile is recommended to monitor cholesterol, sugar levels, and overall health.

These steps can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of associated diseases.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.