What is the Role of Diet in HDL Management?

• Written by Riya Lohia

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Maintaining good HDL level is necessary to keep your heart hale and hearty. Know how you can promote heart health by simply keeping an eye on your diet. 

Are you concerned about your heart health and trying to manage your cholesterol levels? It's important to understand that not all cholesterol is bad. HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein), commonly known as ‘good’ cholesterol, plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy heart and serves as a natural defence against heart disease. The good news is that you can improve your HDL levels by incorporating foods that increase HDL into your diet.

Keep reading this blog to discover the top sources of good cholesterol and promote a heart-healthy lifestyle. To start with let’s clear the basics first! 

What is HDL Cholesterol?

HDL, or High-Density Lipoprotein, also known as ‘good cholesterol’, is a particle made of fat and protein that circulates in the blood. Its main function is transporting cholesterol throughout the body, carrying it from the liver to the blood. HDL is considered ‘good’ because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the body by transporting it from the arteries back to the liver. This helps prevent plaque build-up in the arteries and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Nutritional Factors Affecting HDL

Paying attention to the types of food you eat can have a big impact on your cholesterol levels. Avoiding foods high in trans and saturated fats is important because they can increase bad cholesterol levels. A high carbohydrate diet can also harm your HDL levels. 

But, how to get good cholesterol? 

Try including more foods with healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats in your diet, to improve your HDL levels. Additionally, consider adding more fibre and soy products to your meals – they are great foods to lower LDL and raise HDL. Making the right food choices can help you maintain a good HDL-to-LDL ratio. 

What are the Good Sources of HDL Cholesterol?

To help you get started, here's a list of some fantastic foods to improve HDL levels.

Avocado

Avocados are not only tasty but also healthy for your heart. They contain no cholesterol and are packed with folate and monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help improve your HDL levels. Plus, avocados are a fantastic source of fibre, which can help keep your cholesterol in check. 

Diet Tip - Consider trying avocado toast or avocado salad for your HDL cholesterol diet. Just remember to enjoy them in moderation for the best results. 

Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the best HDL boosting foods because it is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols which improves HDL levels as well as HDL function. Olive oil reduces the inflammatory impact of the bad cholesterol in the body and improves blood vessel function.

Diet Tip - Use extra-virgin olive oil for cooking foods to increase HDL for heart patients. It has the highest level of beneficial compounds. You can also use it to add dressings to salads to give a delicious flavour.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds, including almonds, walnuts, pistachios, chia seeds and flaxseeds, are good food for HDL because they are rich sources of unsaturated fatty acids, fibre, antioxidants, and minerals. They also contain plant sterol, which blocks cholesterol absorption in the body and hence are good foods to raise HDL for diabetics. 

Diet Tip - Nuts are high in calories so consume them in moderation. It is always best to eat overnight-soaked nuts first thing in the morning. For seeds, you can soak them or roast them to add to your food. 

Whole Grains

Looking for foods to raise HDL levels? Incorporating whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, cereals, and bran into your daily meals can help. These fibre-rich foods can work wonders by increasing your HDL levels and lowering blood pressure.

Diet Tip - Include whole grains in at least two meals per day and pair them with healthy fats for better results. 

Legumes and Beans

A diet for increasing HDL cholesterol cannot be complete without including legumes and beans. These superfoods are packed with protein, fibre, and potassium, and they can help lower your LDL while improving your HDL levels. 

Diet Tip - Make sure to incorporate kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, and black beans into your salads, soups, and curries for added flavour and nutritional value.

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish like salmon, sardines and tuna are some of the best foods that naturally raise HDL. Fatty fish has omega-3 fatty acids which are known to boost HDL levels. 

Diet Tip - For consuming fish, grilling or baking is recommended over other cooking methods to avoid unhealthy fats.

High-Fibre Fruits 

Colourful fruits and vegetables are rich in fibre and antioxidants. Incorporating high-fibre vegetables and fruits like apples, raspberries, and pears into your daily diet for high HDL can contribute to increasing your levels of HDL.

Tips on How to Raise Your HDL

In addition to following a healthy diet, you must make certain lifestyle changes to raise your HDL cholesterol and diet therapy to work.

• Start exercising to improve your HDL numbers
• Keep your weight under check
• Watch your blood sugar and blood pressure
• Quit smoking and drinking
• If required take supplements to raise HDL like niacin, fish oil supplements, plant sterols etc.

Wrapping Up

HDL cholesterol is an important factor for your heart health. Incorporating foods that increase HDL into your diet can naturally improve your HDL levels. However, dietary changes are effective only if you make lifestyle changes as well. Remember that healthy food and an active lifestyle have the power to transform your health.

Taking care of your health is essential, but it's equally important to be prepared for any medical emergency. With comprehensive health insurance you can plan for the expenses and stay stress-free when an emergency strikes. 

With advancement in health insurance industry, now availing health insurance even with pre-existing illness is possible. One such plan is Care Freedom offered by Care Health Insurance, which is specially designed for the people with diabetes, hypertension, high BMI etc. The policy promotes no pre-medical health check-ups and premium loading based on current health condition, hence, making it a wise option for senior citizens as well.  

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>> Also Read: Cholesterol and Obesity: Are they the Same?

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.