The common notion is that oil generally increases cholesterol levels. However, there seems to be an inversely proportional relationship between olive oil and cholesterol levels in the body particularly the bad cholesterol. This means that the more olive oil you take in, the greater your chances of ridding your body of LDL cholesterol. And the good thing is that olive oil reduces bad cholesterol but does not affect the level of your HDL cholesterol.
Medical findings show that the cholesterol content of food is at least responsible for an increase in blood HDL and LDL Cholesterol. One of the major methods used to cook and prepare food is by sautéing (which necessarily involves oil). By using olive oil to do this you prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in your system thus lessening the chances of sticking to the walls of the arteries and thereby lessening your chances of developing heart disease.
Medical findings show that the cholesterol content of food is at least responsible for an increase in blood HDL and LDL Cholesterol. One of the major methods used to cook and prepare food is by sautéing (which necessarily involves oil). By using olive oil to do this you prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in your system thus lessening the chances of sticking to the walls of the arteries and thereby lessening your chances of developing heart disease.
It is an accepted fact that fats, especially the saturated ones, cause high cholesterol. And while saturated fats are mostly found in animal products, these are also present in oils (the same product you use daily for cooking and frying your favorite dishes). But you also have to distinguish here, because saturated fat is said to be high only in these types of cooking oils:
- Palm oil
- Vegetable oil
- Coconut oil
- Hydrogenated oil
But there is one source of oil which is said to have more positive and healthy effects and can be used effectively with foods that lower cholesterol.
If saturated fat increases the cholesterol level of the body, monounsaturated fat which is present in olive oil, is said to be good for the health. Olive oil also contains antioxidants making it good not only in reducing high cholesterol level but also in curbing heart disease.
So how does olive oil and cholesterol work? The more olive oil you include in your diet or menu, the more chances you have of controlling the bad cholesterol level otherwise known as LDL. On the other hand, olive oil increases your good cholesterol level also known as HDL.
Unlike other oils that can upset the stomach, olive oil is good for the stomach and has positive effects on people with stomach problems like ulcers. Like several cholesterol lowering herbs, olive oil excites and encourages the production and circulation of bile in the boy forcing bad cholesterol to immediately leave the system as soon as it gets in.
Studies show that people who take in as little as two tablespoon of virgin olive oil for a week have more antioxidants in their body (such as phenols) and have less bad cholesterol.
There are various types of olive oil:
- Virgin olive oil
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Extra Light Olive Oil
- Pure Olive Oil
Of the four types, the best is the Extra Virgin Olive Oil because it is a product of the first pressing and is said to have undergone the least processing. This is the type of olive oil which is recommended for those who really want to reduce a high cholesterol level. However, all of the four types of olive oil are still high in monounsaturated fat.
It is advisable to consume foods that are fresh and has undergone no processing or at least little processing. However, if frying and sautéing cannot be avoided at all you should at least try to use olive oil to regulate the cholesterol levels in the body.
