Cholesterol drives away cholesterol? Phytol is really amazing

Cholesterol drives away cholesterol? Many people have greasy blood vessels, and when they hear that food contains "cholesterol", they simply say "no", fearing that they will become candidates for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease! However, nutritionists emphasize that not all foods containing cholesterol are bad. There is a type of cholesterol found in plant cells called "phytol". Moderate intake can help remove low-density cholesterol from the blood and protect the body.

Get rid of bad cholesterol! Supplementing phytol is a good method

Hong Ruopu, a nutritionist at the Zhongxiao branch of Taipei City United Hospital, said that cholesterol is one of the main components of human cell membranes and is also a necessary substance for the synthesis of bile acid, vitamin D, and various hormones. Even if it is not ingested through the mouth, the human liver will naturally synthesize it.

Phytol is a type of cholesterol found in plant cells. Its structure is very similar to animal cholesterol. Moderate intake can help clear low-density cholesterol from the blood.

Generally speaking, cholesterol in human blood mainly includes low-density cholesterol (LDL, bad cholesterol) and high-density cholesterol (HDL, good cholesterol). If low-density cholesterol accounts for more than 60% to 70% of the total cholesterol, it is easy to cause atherosclerosis. To eliminate the cholesterol "deficit" in the health check report, the first thing to do is to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and moderate supplementation of "phytol" is one of the good ways!

Protect your health! Phytol and cholesterol fight for position in the intestine

Phytol is a type of cholesterol found in plant cells. Its structure is very similar to animal cholesterol and it has sufficient ability to compete with cholesterol in the intestines, "blocking the intestines" to prevent the absorption of cholesterol, thereby reducing the amount of cholesterol in the serum and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the announcement of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), daily intake of 1.3 grams of phytol can lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum.

Where is phytol food? Almonds, soybeans, oats, okra

Which foods contain phytol? Phytol is commonly found in various foods such as grains, cereals, nuts, beans and seeds. Fruits and vegetables such as cantaloupe, broccoli, spinach, okra and seaweed also contain considerable amounts of phytol. Among them, nutritionists particularly recommend almonds, soybeans, oats and okra as priority choices.

Almonds contain up to 70% monounsaturated fatty acids, which can simultaneously lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol in the blood.

Nutritionist Hong Ruopu pointed out that unlike other nuts, almonds contain up to 70% monounsaturated fatty acids, which can simultaneously lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol in the blood. A study by Loma Linda University in California, USA, found that eating nuts just once a week can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 1/4. In addition to being rich in phytol, viscous fiber foods such as oats and okra also contain dietary fiber called β-polyglucose, which has been proven by many studies to have the effect of lowering cholesterol.

Phytol is not a panacea! Lower your cholesterol by exercising regularly

Although there are health foods on the market with phytol as the main ingredient, nutritionist Hong Ruopu reminds the public not to treat phytol as a panacea. Excessive intake will interfere with the body's absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, resulting in insufficient concentrations of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and vitamin E in the body, affecting blood vessel elasticity and the functioning of body functions. Therefore, in order to supplement phytol, as well as to maintain a balanced intake of the six major food groups in daily life, just consume more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, soybeans, nuts and other foods!

What's more, to lower cholesterol, moderate exercise is also important. Spending 30 to 60 minutes a day doing aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, etc. are all good choices. Nutritionists say that exercising for one hour every day, on a consistent basis, can reduce cholesterol by about 10% in the long term.