How to gently reduce your cholesterol level

The nutritional and related cardiological processes in the human body are far from being fully deciphered.
This can be seen from the fact that seemingly ironclad nutritional wisdom is overturned from time to time. Cholesterol has its own chapter in this area of research. For decades, cholesterol was considered a driver of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Accordingly, urgent warnings were issued against the consumption of eggs or dairy products.

In the meantime, however, the view of the substance found in all animal cells has become more differentiated. “The equation ‘high cholesterol equals high risk of heart attack’ has been relativised by research in recent years,” reports heart specialist Dr. Rainer Ruf from the Ambulantes Centrum Berlin in the Friedrichshain district. “Nevertheless, there is no doubt that cholesterol deposits in the arteries can be dangerous. Therefore, it is advisable to keep an eye on your personal cholesterol intake.”

The heart doctor’s recommendation is all the more valid as some studies also prove a direct connection between cholesterol levels and the risk of heart attack. British researchers, for example, have lowered the values of about 5,000 test persons as far as possible and finally found a one-third reduced risk of fatal cardiovascular diseases, as was recently reported. A US study with about 10,000 test persons, on the other hand, came to the conclusion almost at the same time that the cholesterol level says nothing about the cardiovascular risk.

This way you are on the safe side

Whether cholesterol should be avoided or not, most measures to lower cholesterol levels support cardiovascular health on several levels. For example, by exercising, by avoiding stress, but also and above all through diet. Animal foods that are rich in saturated fatty acids should rarely be on the menu. Red meat in particular is not good for heart health. The same applies to dairy products with a high fat content.

Instead, it is advisable to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables or whole grain products. According to current research, the daily breakfast egg is harmless.