Cut✨ back on this food first to reduce risk of high cholesterol🙂

Although cholesterol often receives bad press, not all of it is harmful. Although factors like age and genetics are outside of your control, adopting healthier eating and lifestyle habits can give you some agency over your cholesterol levels. While factors like age and genetics are outside of your control, cholesterol is essential for many essential functions, such as digestion, hormone production, and the synthesis of vitamin D from sunlight.1 However, when cholesterol levels get too high, it can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, increasing your risk for heart disease.2 The more plaque that builds up, the harder your heart has to work to So, which food should you avoid the most to lower your risk of high cholesterol, according to experts? Processed meats.

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise to learn that salami, hot dogs, sausage, and other processed meats are bad for your heart. However, you might not realize that many of your favorite deli meats like turkey, ham and roast beef—which folks tend to think of as healthier—are also included. Read on to find out why it might be time to rethink what you’re putting in your sandwiches.While it may not be surprising to hear that bacon and salami contain saturated fat, Veronica Rouse, M.A.N., RD, CDE, owner of The Heart Dietitian, adds, “Even the ‘healthier’-sounding options—like turkey bacon or low-fat deli cuts—aren’t [necessarily] free of saturated fat; they’re just a bit leaner than regular versions, but still contribute to your total saturated fat intake for the day.” Think about unprocessed lean meats like skinless poultry and fish or plant-based proteins like beans and tofu for healthier alternatives. These options are lower in saturated fats and can help manage cholesterol levels.​

Along with other healthy lifestyle choices, making these changes to your diet can help your heart and lower your risk of high cholesterol.

Many people are familiar with the term "cholesterol" and are aware of the dangers posed by high cholesterol. However, it is essential to comprehend the concept of healthy cholesterol levels in order to fully appreciate their significance. According to Dr., "cholesterol is a particle in the blood that all people and animals need to live." Bhattacharya. “But in today’s day and age, we end up with too much of it. Its primary role is to create a membrane—like a bubble—around molecules in the body and help them travel from place to place.” Dr. says that Bhattacharya, the concept of high cholesterol is not as cut and dry as it seems. That’s because when doctors talk about cholesterol levels, they’re referring to average levels in a world where most people get more than they need. Dr. Bhattacharya suggests considering this more in terms of your body's "unhealthy cholesterol levels." Here’s why: “Imagine you live near a factory that gives off dangerous fumes. You might not have asthma or be coughing day in and day out, but in the back of your mind, you’re wondering if it’s healthy to inhale these fumes every day. That's how I'd think about cholesterol: We all live in a world where we get more than we should of it. Problems arise when your body has more cholesterol than it needs. Dr. Bhattacharya explains cholesterol begins to build up on the walls of your arteries, increasing your chance of developing heart disease and other serious problems.