High Cholesterol Health Risks
by Tommy Smith

I was only 32 years old when my doctor told me that I had high cholesterol. To my surprise, he even wanted me to start cholesterol medication to slow down my natural production of harmful cholesterol. It took me 5 more years before I actually started to take him seriously and ordered my first prescription.

Cholesterol is a natural occurring substance created by everyone’s body. There are basically two types of cholesterol.

HDL Cholesterol – often times referred to as the “good cholesterol”, is considered complex particles composed of multiple proteins that transfer fat molecules throughout the body. In addition, HDL molecules remove fat from cells creating a healthier blood flow and decreasing the accumulation of atherosclerosis within the walls of arteries.

LDL Cholesterol – notorious for the label “bad cholesterol”, these “low density lipoproteins, transfer lipids throughout the body. Combined with transferring fat molecules to the artery walls, this can cause excessive buildup in your arteries, restricting blood flow and even causing stroke.

Foods High In Cholesterol

Eggs – despite the overall concept that eggs are a great breakfast food, and while they do provide a high level of protein and other benefits, they also have their fair share of cholesterol. So if you eat eggs on a regular basis for breakfast, then try opting out for a high cholesterol lunch to help balance your overall intake.

Cheeseburgers – Mmmm a big mac to die for, quite literally. Did you know that cheeseburgers, especially ones from a fast food joint are loaded in high levels of cholesterol? Add in cheese to this combination and you have added even more cholesterol to your diet.

Lobster – Most people think of healthy food when they think of sea food. And while that is true in most cases, lobster actually has a very high level of cholesterol. With over 212mg of cholesterol in the average serving, one can quickly find themselves getting way too much cholesterol in no time.

Fried Chicken – Southern comfort foods. I grew up in the south, so I know all too well the beautiful feelings of bliss when you bite into a hot piece of fried chicken. However, I also know that that delicious delight is packed full of harmful cholesterol guaranteeing my next doctor’s visit to be a disappointment.

Yellow Cheeses – Another weakness of mine is cheese. I absolutely love cheese. Sharp Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, Cave Aged Gruyere. My doctor told me that cheese is basically converting what I’m eating right into my arteries, so his advice was that if I had to eat cheese, stick to the white cheese variety as it is a bit lower in the cholesterol charts.

Liver – I don’t know many people who love the idea of biting into a fresh liver, but there are some who do. For example, I remember growing up as a kid and getting chicken fried livers at the local festivals. While you can’t usually eat a huge portion, even the smallest amount of liver can pack a punch when it comes to high cholesterol levels. So if you love liver, it might be time to find an alternative.

Muffins – Another healthy choice for breakfast right? Well yes, depending on how your muffin is made. If you are eating a home cooked muffin stuffed with butter, milk, sweets such as chocolate, and other toppings your healthy treat just became a time bomb for cholesterol problems.

While this is not a complete list of foods to avoid, it is a list of some of my favorite foods that got me into trouble over the years. So if you are suffering from high cholesterol talk to your doctor about your diet, your comfort foods, and ways to help reduce your overall intake.