Healthy Living

High Cholesterol? It may not be the eggs, but could it be the cheese you are eating?

For decades, eggs have shouldered the blame as a primary dietary culprit for high blood cholesterol and increased risk of heart disease. However, despite their cholesterol content, research suggests that eggs typically do not significantly raise blood cholesterol levels or cardiovascular risk for most individuals. Instead, another beloved food may quietly contribute to cholesterol-related issues—cheese.

Emerging evidence points to excess saturated fat contributing to imbalanced blood lipid levels, often originating from less suspected sources like cheese and more obvious ones like red meat and butter. Therefore, evaluating your cheese consumption habits is crucial before eliminating omelets from your diet. Striking a balance allows for the continued enjoyment of eggs and moderate cheese intake while promoting heart health.

Eggs Redeemed while Cheese Implicated

Nutritional science is continuously evolving. Early research, which did not fully consider the nuanced interactions among genetics, individual metabolic variations, and overall dietary patterns, persistently linked egg consumption with increased blood cholesterol and cardiac risk. However, more recent and rigorous studies, with better control of variables, have found a negligible correlation between eggs and negative cardiovascular outcomes for most populations. Balance and moderation are key. Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse, offering a broad amino acid profile and essential fats, making them one of the most nutrient-dense foods.

By contrast, saturated and trans fats directly contribute to dysregulated blood lipids, plaque accumulation in arteries, and poorer cardiovascular risk parameters. While eggs and many cheeses contain saturated fat, cheese often delivers higher proportions than serving sizes. Unlike eggs, cheese lacks counterbalancing antioxidants, vitamins, or minerals. Over time, consuming excessive amounts of high-calorie and saturated-fat cheese can negatively impact blood lipid values. Additionally, many popular cheeses are high in calories, further compounding their potential impact on health and maintaining optimal weight.

The impact of cheese on health is amplified when it is used to enhance meals that already contain high-fat ingredients like red meat. Additionally, the higher sodium levels in many cheeses can promote fluid retention and elevate blood pressure in sodium-sensitive individuals. While cheese can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, it is important to consume it in moderation. Incorporating a variety of dairy products, such as yogurt, milk, and eggs, rather than relying primarily on cheese, helps to manage intake of saturated fat, calories, and sodium.

 

Moderation and variety are key to maintaining heart health while still enjoying the flavors that cheese brings to meals.

 

Cheese Benefits Need Not Get Curdled

When consumed in moderation, cheese and other dairy products make positive diet additions, supplying key nutrients like protein, calcium, vitamin D, and important bioactive compounds.

These benefits likely stem from particular protective compounds abundant in cheese and other dairy foods. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in cheeses boasts anti-inflammatory effects, lowering chronic inflammation damages over time. Additionally, specific fatty acids, including butyrate and propionate, regulate immune functions while facilitating hormone balances that manage appetite and weight – critical factors influencing many chronic diseases. Lastly, vitamins D, K, and A support bone integrity and healthy cellular aging biologically.

So, rather than prohibiting cheese, ensure sensible incorporation into an overall balanced diet for optimal health. Be especially mindful of portion control and frequency for those managing weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol through food and medication plans. Tracking intake through food journaling often reveals excess cheese that is not readily apparent otherwise.

 

High Cholesterol? It may not be the eggs, but could it be the cheese you are eating? Heart Matters

 

Tips for Keeping Cheese Consumption in Check

When buying, preparing, and indulging cheese in moderation, consider adopting several simple strategies for maximizing benefits while controlling calories, salt, and saturated fat contributions:

  • Prioritize low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella or ricotta, providing a similar flavor punch with less total fat and sodium than full-fat alternatives
  • Limit high sodium, harder cheeses like parmesan or romano, often shaken liberally atop pasta and salads
  • Compare nutrition panels when purchasing, choosing lower fat options within similar cheese styles
  • Measure servings for cooking instead of eyeballing and relying on package delineations
  • Grate, then measure the cheese needed instead of shredding hefty wedge chunks directly into meals
  • Incorporate modest cheese amounts to accent flavor instead of cheese driving the dish itself
  • When indulging in cheese platters, balance with crackers supplying filling fiber and protein
  • Pair cheese accompaniments with red wine or fruit rather than higher calorie, salty crackers or meats
  • If managing hypertension or fluid retention, consult dietitians on sodium thresholds for cheese types to observe
  • Keep alcohol intake in check, it is not uncommon that cheese, is often paired with several glasses of wine and other alcoholic drinks

 

The Bottom Line

Like most aspects of diet and nutrition, moderation is the key to balancing the benefits with potential concerns when eating beloved eggs and crave-worthy cheese. Instead of eliminating either from meal plans, consider right-sizing portions, checking excess sodium levels if relevant, and tracking overall saturated fat and caloric intakes through tools like food journals.

Pairing eggs and cheese with plenty of protective fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, plant-based protein, and healthy fats found abundantly in the Mediterranean diet maximizes each ingredient’s advantages while neutralizing any disadvantages. A balanced, nutrient-dense diet with conscious calorie control counters isolated concerns around eggs or cheese to support optimal cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight necessary for optimum long-term cardiovascular wellness.

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other anti-anginals

When first-line therapies for angina, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitrates, prove inadequate or are not well-tolerated, second-line therapies may be considered.
Perhexiline is a unique medication that enhances the heart's ability to utilize fatty acids for energy, reducing its reliance on oxygen and lowering oxygen demand. This action helps improve blood flow and alleviates chest pain in some patients with refractory angina.
Nicorandil is another second-line option with a dual mechanism of action. It opens potassium channels in smooth muscle cells, causing vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Additionally, nicorandil also stimulates nitric oxide release, further dilating blood vessels and reducing heart workload.
Trimetazidine is an anti-ischemic agent that improves cardiac efficiency by enhancing glucose metabolism and shifting the heart's energy production to a more oxygen-efficient process. As second-line therapies, these medications offer alternative approaches for managing angina in individuals who do not respond adequately to first-line treatments or those experiencing side effects from other medications.

lipid lowering therapies

Lipid-lowering therapies play a critical role in managing coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition characterized by the narrowing of blood vessels that supply the heart. Among the most commonly discussed and debated classes of medications are statins, which effectively reduce cholesterol levels and are widely prescribed to lower the risk of cardiovascular events. Alongside statins, other medications like ezetimibe, fibrates, and niacin are also utilized to target specific aspects of lipid metabolism, such as cholesterol absorption, triglyceride levels, and raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Additionally, the introduction of medications that inhibit PCSK9, an enzyme involved in cholesterol metabolism, has provided a promising new approach to further lower LDL cholesterol levels. These PCSK9 inhibitors, such as Repatha (evolocumab), have shown significant efficacy in reducing LDL cholesterol levels in patients with CAD, especially for those who may not respond well to traditional therapies.

Nitrates

Nitrates are widely used to treat angina and provide quick relief for chest pain. Commonly available in the form of sublingual sprays or tablets, patches, and long-acting tablets, nitrates work by dilating blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow and reduced resistance. This dilation eases the heart's workload, leading to a decreased demand for oxygen and prompt alleviation of angina symptoms. Sublingual nitrates act rapidly and are often used to provide immediate relief during angina attacks, while patches and long-acting tablets are employed for preventive purposes. However, nitrates may cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, and flushing, which usually subside over time.

calcium channel blockers

Calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine, felodipine, cardizem (diltiazem), and verapamil, are commonly prescribed for the treatment of angina. These medications work by inhibiting the influx of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, leading to their relaxation. As a result, blood vessels widen, promoting improved blood flow and reduced blood pressure. In the context of angina, this relaxation decreases the heart's workload, lowering the demand for oxygen and alleviating chest pain. Calcium channel blockers offer a valuable treatment option for individuals with angina, but it is essential to be aware of potential side effects, which may include headaches, dizziness, flushing, and ankle swelling.

Beta blockers

Beta blockers, such as metoprolol, propranolol, atenolol, carvedilol, and bisoprolol, play a crucial role in treating angina. By blocking certain receptors in the heart, they effectively reduce heart rate and the force of contraction, thereby easing the heart's workload. This mechanism of action leads to a decreased demand for oxygen, making beta blockers highly effective in relieving chest pain associated with angina. As with any medication, it's important to consider potential side effects, including tiredness, worsened asthma, erectile dysfunction in some males, and more vivid dreams during sleep. Consult your healthcare provider to determine the suitability of beta blockers for managing your angina and overall heart health.

Anti-platelet Medications

Anti-platelet medications play a crucial role in preventing blood clot formation, reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Among the widely used anti-platelet drugs are aspirin, clopidogrel, and ticagrelor.

Aspirin: This well-known medication inhibits platelet activation, making it less likely for platelets to stick together and form clots. Aspirin is commonly used for primary and secondary prevention of heart attacks and strokes.

Clopidogrel: As a potent anti-platelet agent, clopidogrel works by blocking specific receptors on platelets, preventing them from aggregating. It is often prescribed to patients with acute coronary syndrome, those undergoing stent procedures, and for some cases of peripheral arterial disease.

Ticagrelor: Ticagrelor is another effective anti-platelet drug that works by inhibiting platelet activation. It is used in acute coronary syndrome, often given alongside aspirin to reduce the risk of heart-related events.