High cholesterol: Nutritionist reveals top prevention tips
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Experts warned that unhealthy cholesterol could negatively alter the structure of the tendons, made of tough, fibrous material that connects muscles to bone. Specialist podiatrists explained that tendons “serve as tension bands that help your muscles and bones work together during movement”, with the strongest being the Achilles. Located at the back of the leg, the Achilles connects the calf to the heel bone.
High cholesterol can affect the Achilles, said the experts at Alliance Foot and Ankle Specialists.
“Elevated cholesterol may cause issues like Achilles tendonitis, which is when your Achilles tendon becomes inflamed and irritated,” the specialists elaborated.
Symptoms of the condition include:
- Pain climbing stairs
- Pain in your heel after physical activity
- Swelling in your heel
- Weakness in your lower leg.
Scientific theory purports that high cholesterol leads to structural changes that then weaken tendons, such as the Achilles.
As a bare minimum, a finger-prick test for cholesterol levels should reveal your total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HLD), i.e. “good” cholesterol.
From this, you can work out the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol.
As a general guide, a healthy total cholesterol reading is below 5mmol/L.
As for the total cholesterol and HDL ratio, a reading above six is considered “high risk”.
DON’T MISS
Dementia: The 60p food shown to ‘double’ the risk of memory decline [INSIGHT]
Cancer: The drink that may boost your cancer risk by 80% [EXPLAINED]
The popular drink linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer – study [ANALYSIS]
In order to help control cholesterol levels, your diet is extremely important.
Some foods can “actively help to lower your cholesterol”, such as:
- Unsaturated fats
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Oats and barley
- Foods with added sterols and stanols
- Soya foods.
Expanding on the food groups, Heart UK noted that unsaturated fats include avocado, seeds, and oily fish such as pilchards.
In terms of fruit and vegetables, aim for at least five portions daily to help lower cholesterol levels.
Nuts help to lower cholesterol by blocking cholesterol from being absorbed in the bloodstream from the gut.
Nuts are capable of doing this because of the fibre it contains.
Moreover, nuts can be filling, which decreases the likelihood of grazing on unhealthy foods.
Meanwhile, oats and barley contain fibre called beta glucan that can help to lower cholesterol.
Source: Read Full Article