Using A Low Carb Cholesterol Diet For Better Health

By Adrian Fletcher

Although necessary for our bodies to function properly, cholesterol often worries people. They are constantly worrying about reducing the amount that they consume as it can have detrimental affects on the body if there is too much of it. Our bodies produce both "good" (HDL) and "bad"(LDL) cholesterol. For proper health, the goal is to increase levels of "good" cholesterol and reduce our levels of "bad" cholesterol. Both of these goals can be accomplished by utilizing a low carb cholesterol diet.

On a low carb cholesterol diet, the goal is to completely avoid or at least reduce any kind of food that is linked to increasing body fat. One of the biggest culprits when it comes to elevating cholesterol levels are carbs, which can be found in starchy foods and sugars. Carbs increase the body's sugar and insulin levels, which leads to an increase in body fat and can eventually lead to heart-related problems as well as diabetes.

Cholesterol is present in a number of foods, especially those containing saturated or trans-fats. A low carb cholesterol diet that reduces sweets and saturated and trans-fats will result in a lowering of both body fat and bad cholesterol levels. Most overweight patients have elevated cholesterol levels and would benefit from implementing a low carb low cholesterol diet.

Eating low carb foods decreases the production of insulin by the body. This in turn requires the body to use stored excess sugars and fats for converting into energy. Since the body is burning more sugar and fat under a low carb cholesterol diet than you are consuming, you can lose the extra weight more quickly without putting your health in danger. The obvious benefit of this is that it will lower your LDL cholesterol but it can also reduce the chances of deveolping diabetes and other cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

When you are on a low carb cholesterol diet you can eat most of the foods you like. You will need to read the labels to check if the amount of carbohydrates is low enough and how much sugar it has. It is extremely important that you teach yourself and know about the food products that have too many carbs and too much cholesterol. You can stay away from them or offset these high carb foods with foods that have fewer carbs. Simple carbs are the things to avoid. These are easy to breakdown by the body so no energy is used to process them. Look to complex carbs to fill the carb component of any diet you go on.

Thanks to increased awareness regarding cholesterol and heart health, there are a lot of foods readily available that can be used in a low carb cholesterol diet. Foods that are usually high in starch like pasta are now available with reduced carbohydrates. This allows people who care about their health and weight to take pleasure in eating these products and decrease their cholesterol at the same time.

Including exercise while on a low carb cholesterol diet will produce results more quickly when it comes to weight loss. You will have more energy and feel better. It is essential that you speak with your physician or nutritionist before you start on a diet to be certain that it acceptable for you to be on a low carb cholesterol diet. Some people who have previously had medical problems, women who are pregnant or breast feeding probably should not begin a diet plan unless they are under a doctor's care to be sure that it is not dangerous. - 17268

About the Author:

Learn more about dealing with cholesterol at http://www.lowgoodcholesterol.com and the importance of healthy cholesterol levels for lowering your cholesterol level.