The right meal to prevent cardiovascular problems
To prevent cardiovascular problems, one needs to eat right.
CHOLESTEROL is not necessarily bad news. Although there is an undeniable link between cholesterol levels in the body and the chances of developing cardiovascular disease, good cholesterol management can lower that risk and help maintain a healthy, vibrant heart even as one ages.
Managing heart disease boils down to raising HDL (good cholesterol) and lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.
Cholesterol management is now a multi-million ringgit industry offering a slew of drugs and supplements for the individual.
While the traditional approach of prescribing drugs is a common and effective way of lowering cholesterol, there appears to be concern over their side-effects. Now there is a growing interest in naturopathic remedies.
“Heart disease is a lifestyle ailment that encompasses many factors other than LDL reduction. You need a multi-faceted approach to prevention. There are many nutritional factors other than lifestyle that can contribute to cardio health and prevention of a heart attack” says G.C. Ong, an alternative medicine practitioner with 20 years’ experience in medical lab technology.
The medical approach of getting the body’s cholesterol down is via consumption of statin drugs. These are chemical-based remedies that block the enzyme which the liver needs to produce cholesterol. Not everyone can take statin drugs, as some are affected by their side-effects.
Ong says there is a natural way that effectively gets your cholesterol down. That begins by understanding the relationship between the functions of cholesterol-related organs in the body and the foods consumed.
He believes that high cholesterol foods are a minor cause of high blood cholesterol. Saturated animal fat is the real enemy. Eating cholesterol-rich foods only slightly affect the blood cholesterol profile.
“The liver produces 80% of the body’s total cholesterol, while food only contributes 10% to 20%,” he explains. Having said that, one should not go overboard with high cholesterol foods, but neither should they be fanatically avoided.
“You need not deprive yourself of so-called cholesterol-rich foods like seafood and eggs. After all, food is for enjoyment and eating, a pleasure.”
In fact, food like egg yolk, oysters, clam, prawns and squid actually increase the body’s HDL and lower LDL, he claims.
The key, however, lies in intentional and constant consumption of food containing salmon omega-3, calcium-magnesium, bio-vitamin C, Co-Q10. That means a lot of fruits and vegetables, soluble grains, nuts and fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna.
A healthy level of cholesterol in the body is beneficial in the formation of cell membranes, hormones, bile and insulation of nerves. It also helps create Vitamin D which is vital for calcium absorption.
Good (HDL) cholesterol aids in reducing plague formation, inflammation, clotting and can improve blood vessel function. Also, it is vital for production of sex hormones.
“Doctors have long known that suppressing the production of LDL is not the entire story in cholesterol management. Patients who have lowered LDL still suffered heart attacks and strokes. According to the Physicians Desk Reference, 50% of people who suffered heart attacks had normal cholesterol.”
So, what can one do when faced with a looming possibility of heart disease as result of a high cholesterol reading?
Nutrition is the answer, according to Ong.
“Good nutrition and health are connected. You can overcome heart disease with food and nutritional supplements. You can prevent heart disease by eating right.”
Dietary recommendations for cholesterol control from alternative medicine practitioner G.C. Ong:
Take plenty of fruits and vegetables, soluble grains and seafood, especially fatty fish.
Reduce intake of saturated animal fats.
Limit intake of transfatty acids in margarine and shortening.
Do not go on extremely low-fat diet – it may be counterproductive.
Take lots of antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and olive oil.
Consume vitamins C, E and beta carotene.
Get enough calcium-rich foods, which helps reduce absorption of saturated fats.
Drink green and black tea.
A daily glass of wine may benefit HDL cholesterol.
Eat more shitake mushroom, barley and kelp (seaweed).
- THE STAR
www.thestar.com.my
CHOLESTEROL is not necessarily bad news. Although there is an undeniable link between cholesterol levels in the body and the chances of developing cardiovascular disease, good cholesterol management can lower that risk and help maintain a healthy, vibrant heart even as one ages.
Managing heart disease boils down to raising HDL (good cholesterol) and lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.
Cholesterol management is now a multi-million ringgit industry offering a slew of drugs and supplements for the individual.
While the traditional approach of prescribing drugs is a common and effective way of lowering cholesterol, there appears to be concern over their side-effects. Now there is a growing interest in naturopathic remedies.
“Heart disease is a lifestyle ailment that encompasses many factors other than LDL reduction. You need a multi-faceted approach to prevention. There are many nutritional factors other than lifestyle that can contribute to cardio health and prevention of a heart attack” says G.C. Ong, an alternative medicine practitioner with 20 years’ experience in medical lab technology.
The medical approach of getting the body’s cholesterol down is via consumption of statin drugs. These are chemical-based remedies that block the enzyme which the liver needs to produce cholesterol. Not everyone can take statin drugs, as some are affected by their side-effects.
Ong says there is a natural way that effectively gets your cholesterol down. That begins by understanding the relationship between the functions of cholesterol-related organs in the body and the foods consumed.
He believes that high cholesterol foods are a minor cause of high blood cholesterol. Saturated animal fat is the real enemy. Eating cholesterol-rich foods only slightly affect the blood cholesterol profile.
“The liver produces 80% of the body’s total cholesterol, while food only contributes 10% to 20%,” he explains. Having said that, one should not go overboard with high cholesterol foods, but neither should they be fanatically avoided.
“You need not deprive yourself of so-called cholesterol-rich foods like seafood and eggs. After all, food is for enjoyment and eating, a pleasure.”
In fact, food like egg yolk, oysters, clam, prawns and squid actually increase the body’s HDL and lower LDL, he claims.
The key, however, lies in intentional and constant consumption of food containing salmon omega-3, calcium-magnesium, bio-vitamin C, Co-Q10. That means a lot of fruits and vegetables, soluble grains, nuts and fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna.
A healthy level of cholesterol in the body is beneficial in the formation of cell membranes, hormones, bile and insulation of nerves. It also helps create Vitamin D which is vital for calcium absorption.
Good (HDL) cholesterol aids in reducing plague formation, inflammation, clotting and can improve blood vessel function. Also, it is vital for production of sex hormones.
“Doctors have long known that suppressing the production of LDL is not the entire story in cholesterol management. Patients who have lowered LDL still suffered heart attacks and strokes. According to the Physicians Desk Reference, 50% of people who suffered heart attacks had normal cholesterol.”
So, what can one do when faced with a looming possibility of heart disease as result of a high cholesterol reading?
Nutrition is the answer, according to Ong.
“Good nutrition and health are connected. You can overcome heart disease with food and nutritional supplements. You can prevent heart disease by eating right.”
Dietary recommendations for cholesterol control from alternative medicine practitioner G.C. Ong:
Take plenty of fruits and vegetables, soluble grains and seafood, especially fatty fish.
Reduce intake of saturated animal fats.
Limit intake of transfatty acids in margarine and shortening.
Do not go on extremely low-fat diet – it may be counterproductive.
Take lots of antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and olive oil.
Consume vitamins C, E and beta carotene.
Get enough calcium-rich foods, which helps reduce absorption of saturated fats.
Drink green and black tea.
A daily glass of wine may benefit HDL cholesterol.
Eat more shitake mushroom, barley and kelp (seaweed).
- THE STAR
www.thestar.com.my
MOHD ADHA MOHD ZAIN (ADHA ZAIN)
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