There are more than 10 Million cases of high cholesterol per year only in India. Almost one in every ten people complains about high cholesterol and problems related to it. This alarming situation pan world is a matter of thoughtful contemplation. In India too, the changing lifestyle and dietary habits are seeing a rise in high cholesterol patients.
High Cholesterol – a silent killer
Cholesterol is required by the body and is very essential for the formation of cell membranes, certain hormones and Vitamin D. Within the normal range, cholesterol is one of the many components required for growth and development. When the body contains excess cholesterol than the normal, the condition is called as ‘High Cholesterol’ and is harmful to health. High cholesterol hinders the flow of blood in the body. If the condition of high cholesterol is left untreated it causes many health issues and leads to even heart problems and heart attack. High cholesterol typically causes no symptoms and is undetected many times. It is, therefore, very necessary to check cholesterol levels regularly.
What causes high cholesterol?
Main factors causing high cholesterol are lifestyle and eating habits. Consuming foods containing high cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats cause high cholesterol. Foods such as butter, ghee, margarine, fatty meat and meat products like sausages cause increased levels of cholesterol. Lifestyle factors which increase the level of cholesterol include smoking, overweight condition, sometimes irregular eating, and sleeping habits and inactivity. High cholesterol may also be manifested genetically in the family or due to conditions like diabetes and hypothyroidism.
Precaution is better than cure – Avoid high cholesterol diet
A healthy and active lifestyle is a key to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and avoid health issues. Consuming healthy snack recipes would be a key to avoid high cholesterol. Cholesterol diet menu includes foods such as oats, barley, whole grains, nuts, and fruits to name a few. Switching to a nutritious low cholesterol diet menu and adopting an active lifestyle with regular exercises would help reduce the excess cholesterol and avoid health problems caused due to high cholesterol levels.
The five important steps that one can take to avoid or reduce high cholesterol is to
- Regularly check the levels of cholesterol in your body
- Regularly consultation with the family physician
- Limit the consumption of foodstuffs containing saturated fats, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol.
- Increase the intake of fibre in the diet by consuming foods like beans, oats, pulses, fruits, and vegetables
- Maintain an active lifestyle by exercising regularly
Healthy Flakes help you bring back healthy life
Ancient grains are always a rich source of fibre. Intake of fibre from whole grains is highly recommended as an important part of a healthy diet for people suffering from high cholesterol. High fibre food helps prevent the digestive tract from absorbing cholesterol. Consumption of Millet products should be an integral part of a high cholesterol diet menu. Millet products like Jowar (Sorghum) Flakes and Bajra (Pearl Millet) Flakes contain low levels of saturated fats and no cholesterol and are also rich in fibre. Including these whole grains, which are grown by traditional methods help in reducing bad cholesterol levels and bringing back a healthy life.
Various low cholesterol, healthy recipes could be made very easily by these Millet products like Jowar (Sorghum) Flakes and Bajra (Pearl Millet) Flakes. Such Millet products have other benefits like they reduce acidity, post-meal feeling of dizziness and bloating. The Millet products will not only add on to your nutritious diet but also are very sumptuous to consume.
