A survey shows: the incidence of high blood lipids in adults over 20 years old in our country has reached 20.6%, equivalent to one in every four people having abnormal blood lipid levels. Compared to the survey from 2012 to 2015, it has increased by nearly 3.5%.
An increase in plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body leads to the deposition of bad cholesterol, hindering blood circulation and increasing the probability of stroke, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis.
The rise in blood lipid levels is a hidden killer of the health and life of middle-aged and elderly people in clinical medicine, combined with high blood sugar and hypertension to form the three highs problem, all of which are independent diseases caused by slow blood circulation for which a complete cure has not yet been found.
—Can preventing and treating high blood lipids just by being vegetarian work?
When it comes to the independent disease of high blood lipids, most people first think of eating too much meat. In fact, its onset is closely related to other factors besides diet.
Academician Chen Keji, born in Fuzhou, Fujian in 1936, has made significant contributions to the study of vascular diseases in China. He has been researching clinical medicine on high blood lipid diseases for more than 50 years with his unique medical insights.
Academician Chen believes that the onset of high blood lipid diseases cannot be prevented and controlled by simply having a bland diet or being a vegetarian.
In 1963, he conducted a study on the relationship between human diet and blood lipid levels:
【Experimental Group】Nuns and monks from the Fourth Hospital of Fuzhou, Fujian (vegans for over 10 years)
【Experimental Process】Through continuous social tracking, their health changes were observed over a period of 2 to 3 years.
【Experimental Conclusion】There is only an 11.3% correlation between the onset of high blood lipid diseases and being a vegetarian.
As Academician Chen said, occasional vegetarianism helps control one’s blood lipid levels. Prolonged vegetarianism without meat intake only disrupts endogenous lipid and glycogen metabolism, leading to a decrease in immune resistance.
Blindly following a vegetarian diet not only fails to control one’s condition but also increases the risk of inflammation-related diseases and can lead to health issues and malnutrition.
—At 92 years old, Academician Chen, who has studied blood lipids for over 50 years, suggests: besides meat, these 3 types of vegetables should also be consumed in moderation
1st Type: Chinese Toon
Chinese Toon, a common wild vegetable in households, is most in season from May to July. Common cooking methods include scrambled eggs with Chinese Toon and cold dishes with Chinese Toon, which are fresh and delicious, relieving greasiness.
It is rich in nutrients like iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins, and dietary fiber, which help supplement iron, calcium, and other elements in the body, and promote gastrointestinal motility.
However, for individuals with high blood lipids, the consumption of Chinese Toon should be limited to avoid oxalic acid residue accumulation, impeding blood circulation and increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
2nd Type: Chili Pepper
Chili pepper, a common seasoning in kitchens, is loved by people of all ages. While stimulating the taste buds and increasing appetite, it also alleviates the greasiness of meat dishes, enhancing flavor.
Excessive consumption of capsaicin in chili peppers can lead to continuous erosion of the stomach mucosa, disrupt gastric acid secretion, and cause discomforts like bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. High blood lipid patients taking anticoagulant drugs and statins under medical guidance should also consume less of these spicy vegetables to prevent disturbance in lipid metabolism, leading to increased triglycerides and cholesterol levels.
3rd Type: Pumpkin
Pumpkin is rich in water, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, which help alleviate constipation caused by dry intestinal flora and are suitable for the middle-aged and elderly.
However, its high glucose and maltose content categorizes it as a high-sugar vegetable unsuitable for patients with chronic metabolic diseases like high blood lipids, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. Its intake may lead to glucose residue retention, hindering blood circulation, increasing blood viscosity, and impeding recovery of the individual’s condition.
—4 lipid-lowering foods that high blood lipid patients can consume more of
【Onion】: Increases good cholesterol
Studies have shown that compounds like prostaglandin A, allicin, and saponin in onions have similar functions to statin drugs in modern medicine, aiding in clearing blood circulation, stabilizing blood lipids.
People with high blood lipids can consume onions appropriately every day to promote gastrointestinal motility, enhance blood circulation, and timely remove the low-density lipoprotein and fat residues on blood vessel walls, increasing good cholesterol levels.
【Apple】: Dilutes excess cholesterol
Apples, common fruits throughout the year, are rich in nutrients, water content, and dietary fiber, helping supplement vitamins C, A, K, and dietary fiber.
Whether for high blood lipid patients or those with slow blood circulation, consuming an apple daily promotes metabolism, boosts basal metabolic rate, and dilutes the thick cholesterol on blood vessel walls.
【Soybean】: Clears blood circulation
The antioxidants in soybeans enhance the self-repair ability of blood vessels and cells, clearing necrotic cells through cellular metabolism, indirectly stabilizing triglyceride levels.
Individuals with high blood lipids can consume more soy products like tofu, yuba, and soy milk in their daily diet. The vitamin E present also improves skin self-repair ability, slowing down the aging process.
【Fish】: Supplies energy
While high blood lipid patients need to follow a bland diet under medical guidance, they should also supplement high-quality protein and energy deficiency. Eating nutritious and low-fat fish in daily diet can meet individual nutritional needs.
Preferably freshwater fish should be consumed over deep-sea fish, and the cooking process should involve less salt. According to the latest medical dietary guidelines, individuals with good health should limit daily salt intake to 5-6 grams.
—Reading Extension: The lower the blood lipids, the better? Should you immediately lower lipids once they rise?
Although elevated blood lipids have an impact on the body, lower blood lipids are not necessarily healthier. Correctly selecting medications under medical guidance and stabilizing one’s condition are crucial. #HealthLoving#
