CHOLESTEROL

A low level of total cholesterol is desirable in that it lowers your risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

Talk to your healthcare practitioner about a potential treatment plan. A high level of Total Cholesterol can increase your risk for coronary heart disease. If your Total Cholesterol is high enough, a statin prescription may be desirable. Statins lower your LDL cholesterol by inhibiting the liver enzyme responsible for the production of cholesterol. 

- Reducing your Total Cholesterol will reduce your risk for coronary heart disease. [L]

- Dietary cholesterol consumption has a clear connection to blood cholesterol concentrations [L]

- Multiple studies have linked dietary patterns with incidence of coronary heart disease and found that groups consuming predominantly plant-based foods, versus animal-based, have lower rates of heart disease. [L]

Various studies [L, L, L, L, L, L, L, L, L] have shown that nutritional and lifestyle interventions have halted and even reversed coronary artery disease (CAD). The interventions included among other things:

- low-fat vegan whole-foods plant-based diet, 
- stopping smoking, 
- stress management training, 
- and moderate exercise

The easiest lifestyle adjustment you can make to lower Total Cholesterol is to eat better and exercise more.

Specifically:

- Eat foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol. Here is a general guide to following a whole food plantbased diet. 

- Remove all type of meats from diet [L]

- Remove coconut oil from diet. [L]

- Eat fiber rich food

- Exercise at least 2.5 hours / week

- Lower stress

- Limit alcohol intake

- Quit smoking

Note to vegans: If you are already following a plantbased diet, keep in mind that not all vegan foods are necessary beneficial for your health. This might include juices/sweetened beverages, refined grains, potatoes/fries, sweets. [L, L]