Dietary Recommendations for Hypercholesterolemia - Essay Example

"Dietary Recommendations for Hypercholesterolemia" is a perfect example of a paper on food and nutrition. Those foods which provide the most evidence for cholesterol reduction should be taken by patients of hypercholesterolemia. Some key foods noted for their protective role against bad cholesterol are “nuts, legumes, whole cereals rich insoluble fiber, and cocoa” (Ros 2012). But, an abundance of everything is bad so these foods should be taken in controlled portions. Lifestyle modifications are critically important to treat high cholesterol. This includes an active lifestyle, cessation of smoking, and excessive reliance on commercially prepared junk food. It is recommended that total blood cholesterol should lie between “140 and 200 mg/dL” (Ehrlich 2013). The traditional Mediterranean diet is considered the best, one which is based on foods like fruits, nuts, white meat, fish, low content of saturated fatty acids, and a high glycemic index. Western diet is harmful because it is not based on much soluble fiber and is not as rich and healthy as the Mediterranean diet formula. In addition to high fiber foods, fatty fish like salmon should be consumed. This is because the latter consists of foods that have natural cholesterol-lowering properties (Ros 2012). Statins are used to treat hypercholesterolemia. Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin are commonly used statins (Citkowitz 2013). It is recommended for breastfeeding patients to stop taking ezetimibe and a statin to avoid complications (Healthwise Staff 2012). Though omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not provide clear evidence for treating hypercholesterolemia, vitamins and other nutritional supplements can be used by a patient to lower cholesterol levels. Many such supplements hold the potential to reduce “total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol” (Steyer, King, Mainous & Gilbert 2003, p. 415).

 

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