Do certain foods actively reduce cholesterol or do they just not trigger the body to produce it?
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There are 2 kinds of cholesterol, LDL (low density lipids) and HDL (high density lipids). LDL’s are the sticky kind that cling to the walls of blood vessels like smearing peanut butter on bread. HDL’s are hard and not sticky and when they flow through they can scrape off the LDL’s as they pass by. Sorta like sand blasting paint. Foods that promote HDL’s slowly overtime remove the built up plaque of the LDL’s reducing bad cholesterol. There is a lot more to this but this is the simplest way i can explain to visualize whats going on here.
Your cholesterol is produced by the liver and gets dumped into your system every time you eat. This cholesterol is then absorbed in the gut and enters the blood stream.
Foods high in fiber collects some of this cholesterol like a sponge and then it’s eliminated when you poo.
Psyllium husk does a great job of doing this. Lots of people with high cholesterol (LDL) use this product instead of taking medications.
Other foods promote production of good cholesterol (HDL). Omega 3 foods, fruits. A well balanced diet (and exercise) keeps things in order and will help keep cholesterol levels normal.
You can have bacon, but not everyday.
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