Foods High in Cholesterol - Nuts - Good Or Bad For Your Cholesterol Levels?

Foods High in Cholesterol - Nuts and seeds like Almonds and Pistachios are now proven to help reduce the bad or LDL cholesterol levels in our blood. High cholesterol levels are a factor in the onset of strokes and heart attacks. New studies show that high levels of selenium in the blood bring on an increase in cholesterol levels. One of the best sources of selenium in our diet is brazil nuts.

These nuts have traditionally been recommended as a great way to build up your immune system and have even been suggested as a way of protecting the body from the onset of some cancers. Selenium is also found in fish, meat and some types of grains. Prostate cancer is said to be one of the cancers that selenium can protect you against and some research has added corectal, lung, breast and colon cancers to this list. It is also found to protect your skin from ageing due to exposure to the sun's rays.

Studies at Warwick University in the United Kingdom have shown that eating large quantities of Brazil nuts and selenium-rich foods are linked to a 10 per cent rise in cholesterol. They found that those people with blood selenium concentrations higher than 1.20micromoles per litre had their levels of total cholesterol raised by an average of 8 per cent. More alarmingly, levels of the 'bad' LDL type of cholesterol that is linked to circulation problems and heart disease were increased by 10 per cent. So although brazil nuts are not one of the foods high in cholesterol, they raise cholesterol levels by their selenium content.

Brazil nuts are high in monosaturated fats and exceptionally rich in selenium and although average intake of brazil nuts is probably only around half the current recommended level there is a widespread use of selenium supplements. These supplements can substantially increase your blood levels to way above the accepted limits. Weight for weight, brazils contain as much protein as eggs, making them ideal for vegetarians and vegans. They contain all the B vitamins except B12, as well as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and contain an essential fatty acid called linoleic acid that has been shown to help balance hormone levels and protect your skin from damage.

Researches say that it is a little previous to suggest that taking selenium supplements is harmful for heart health but they say to avoid the Foods High in Cholesterol.

For more information on the Cholesterol in food and how they affect your Heart and Blood Circulation - go to Foods High In Cholesterol and Diets For High Cholesterol - Get Your FREE Tips on Keeping Your Heart Healthy!

Healthy Foods: Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are very sweet nuts that give healthy treats. It is a tropical nut that is best eaten raw so as to maintain their nutrients that are required by the body but it can also be a popular ingredient in many delicious dishes. Macadamia nuts are one of the healthy snacks we can always have around; and this is because of the many nutrients it contains.

Many people used to steer away from macadamias primarily because there is the false impression that, as nuts, they contain very high levels of cholesterol and fat. It is a good thing, though, that more people now know that macadamia nuts may contain high fat levels but these fats are actually monounsaturated fat and can be healthy for your bodies. If macadamia are added to daily diet in moderation, then they can also actually promote weight loss. Also, macadamia nuts are actually cholesterol-free and can also be a possible agent in reducing the bad levels of cholesterol in the body while increasing good cholesterol levels.

Now, these are just some examples of how macadamia nuts can be good for the body. If you are going to set aside its value based on nutrient content, you can easily focus on how delicious the nut is. It can be eaten as is and can be one good healthy snack that is great to have in the house and even in your lunch bag. Instead of gorging on chips, then macadamias should take the place of unhealthy snacks as they are not only tasty but will also do a lot for your health.

Some of the other health benefits given by eating macadamia nuts are as follows:

Macadamias are known to have good anti-oxidant properties. This is because the nuts contain selenium, a natural anti-oxidant. As we know, anti-oxidants are not only good for the skin but can also be considered as cancer-fighting elements. Macadamia nuts are also great sources of fiber. As we know, fiber can help our digestive system much. If you have a difficult time moving bowels or if you are constipated then eating macadamias can help you have easier time in the toilet.

As with most nuts, macadamia nuts are rich in iron as well as in calcium. The calcium content helps strengthen bones and teeth. They are also high in iron content; thus, help the formation of red blood cells while helping enzymes in the body function well. These delicious nuts also contain magnesium which is seen as necessary to the proper growth of bones and helps our bodies to release the right amounts of energy. They are also rich in potassium which is useful for brain function and also in regulating the many body fluids. Lastly, macadamia nuts are cholesterol-free - great news for people who want to eat nuts but are afraid of increasing their cholesterol intake.

Some of the popular dishes that use macadamia nuts include choco macadamia pie, chicken with crushed macadamia, macadamia shortbread, macadamia-coconut cookies and macadamia choco biscotti. With these examples, it just proves that these healthy nuts are not just great as ingredients to desserts but also to meat dishes.

Joleen has been an online writer for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in health, travel, and product reviews, you can also check out her latest website on Belkin F5X004 Auto Antenna which reviews and lists the best Belkin Auto Antenna F5X004.