As people age, their blood vessels gradually lose elasticity, and metabolic function decreases significantly, leading to the accumulation of toxins and waste in the blood vessel walls, increasing the risk of blood vessel blockage and potentially triggering cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Body organs are unable to absorb nutrients from the blood, making it easier to develop diseases that can harm health and life. In addition to hereditary diseases, high blood lipid levels are becoming more common and are gradually affecting younger individuals.
Many people believe that high blood lipids are a result of poor long-term dietary habits. Some think that corn is a causative factor for high blood lipids. Does this healthy food negatively affect individuals with high blood lipids?
How to interpret blood lipid test results?
– Total cholesterol: Normal range is usually 3.1-5.2 mmol/L;
– Triglycerides: Normal range is usually 0.56-1.70 mmol/L;
– High-density lipoprotein cholesterol: Normal range is usually 1.03-1.55 mmol/L;
– Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: Normal range is usually 2.07-3.12 mmol/L.
In a lab report, blood lipid indicators usually provide numerical values within the normal range and specify a reference range. If any indicator exceeds the normal range, it may require attention, especially if it deviates significantly from the normal range.
Is Corn a Cause of High Blood Lipids?
The dietary fiber in corn can help reduce cholesterol levels in the body, decrease fat content in the blood, and thus lower the risk of high blood lipids. Additionally, corn is rich in B vitamins, which promote body metabolism, accelerate fat metabolism and consumption, help control weight, and reduce fat accumulation. Therefore, corn is not a causative factor for high blood lipids; on the contrary, it contains abundant nutrients and antioxidants, offering various health benefits and can be safely included in our daily diet to enjoy its health benefits.
Doctor: To lower lipid levels, limit consumption of these 3 vegetarian foods:
1. Pickles
Pickles are a common side dish enjoyed with meals, especially among older individuals. However, excessive salt content used during the pickling process can burden blood vessels and raise blood pressure. Prolonged pickling can lead to the formation of nitrites, triggering cardiovascular complications. Thus, patients should opt for a mild diet.
2. Potatoes
Potatoes are a popular vegetable with slightly higher carbohydrate content compared to others, mostly comprising starch. Regular potato consumption can increase the risk of high blood lipids. Carotenoids in potatoes function as natural antioxidants. Consuming too many carotenoids can result in a deficiency of antioxidants, leading to increased blood lipid levels and deposition on blood vessel walls, raising the risk of coronary artery disease.
3. Eggplant
While eggplants do not directly cause elevated lipid levels, they readily absorb fats. Cooking eggplant with excessive oil intake can lead to consuming large amounts of fats, which may be less healthy than consuming fatty meat. Thus, individuals with high blood lipids should limit intake of oil-rich eggplants.
These 5 foods are natural remedies for lowering blood lipids, affordable and effective for everyone:
1. Natto
Natto, a small soybean product, known as a “natural statin”, performs well in reducing blood lipids. Easily available in the market at an affordable price, natto, primarily made from soybeans, undergoes extraction, fermentation, and refining aided by beneficial microbes. Its plant fiber and polysaccharides enhance blood circulation, accelerate fat metabolism, and consumption, lowering lipid levels effectively.
2. Cucumber
Cucumbers are ideal vegetables for reducing blood lipids, containing rich nutrients with low calories. The abundant dietary fiber promotes gut motility, expels toxins and waste from the body, and reduces cholesterol absorption. Moreover, cucumbers contain malic acid, effectively inhibiting fat production and aiding in lowering blood lipids.
3. Onion
Onions, rich in prostaglandin A, promote vasodilation, softening blood vessels, reducing blood viscosity, and acting as antithrombotic agents. Regular onion consumption, particularly purple onions, benefits individuals with high blood lipids.
4. Kelp
Kelp contains potassium alginate with blood pressure-lowering effects. Its unsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber help eliminate cholesterol adhering to blood vessel walls, promote cholesterol excretion, and inhibit cholesterol absorption, thereby reducing blood pressure effectively.
5. Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms contain abundant nucleic acids, choline, purines, tyrosine, and multiple unsaturated fatty acids, effectively reducing blood cholesterol levels. Regular consumption can prevent vascular fragility and alleviate hypertension symptoms. Additionally, shiitake mushrooms have antioxidant properties, removing free radicals, maintaining hydrated and elastic skin, and delaying aging.
However, in cases of severe hyperlipidemia, medication is required for treatment. Dietary adjustments alone may not suffice. Combining medication with improved dietary and lifestyle habits, such as cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption, engaging in physical activities, can effectively control and reduce blood lipids.
