Do you know how much cholesterol you consume on a daily basis? The American Heart Association recommends that your daily cholesterol intake should be less than 300 milligrams. However, if you have heart disease or if it is common within your family, your cholesterol intake should be less than 200 milligrams. Many of the foods we consume on a daily basis contain varying levels of cholesterol – such as eggs, meat, fish, poultry and milk. Dietary cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol levels in the body increasing the risk factors of heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association there are several types of cholesterol, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a). LDL is the primary carrier of cholesterol and circulates throughout the blood, but it can also build up in artery walls that supply the heart and brain. These substances cause a hard deposit, clogging the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke or other issues. HDL, considered the healthy cholesterol, carries the cholesterol from the arteries to the liver for disposal. If the Lp(a) cholesterol level is too high, it may involve developing atherosclerosis at an early age and may involve lesions in artery walls.
There are several ways to lower your risk of heart disease. Replacement of saturated fats and trans-fatty acids with healthier fats (such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) may help lower LDL cholesterol when eaten as part of a healthy diet. A good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are nuts and seeds, fish (especially oily fish such as salmon, trout and herring) and vegetable oils. Limiting daily cholesterol intake may also lower your risk. Foods from plants, such as grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables, do not contain cholesterol. Instead of consuming too much meat, healthy alternatives include beans and eating vegetables as a substitute for consuming protein from animals.
Protein powder is an excellent supplement that can be used to increase daily protein intake, improve body composition, or the ratio of muscle to fat in the body. You do not need to be an athlete just to take protein powder. A good protein supplement can aid in the recovery of damaged muscles, increase chances of building muscle, assist in weight loss by making you feel more full and helping your body burn more fat, and finally, protein powder also serves as a great dietary supplement for better body nourishment.
Unfortunately, many types of protein supplements contain varying amounts of cholesterol. Whey protein, derived from milk, commonly contains cholesterol which many people overlook on the label. Over the course of a day, all the dietary cholesterol adds up and may affect your long-term risk of heart disease or other ailments.
Superfood Protein contains a blend of organic plant-based protein, healthy fats, greens, fiber, and it boosts ZERO milligrams of cholesterol. In addition, Superfood Protein is certified organic, non-GMO project verified, vegan, gluten free, soy free, and diary free. Some manufacturers ignore the cholesterol issue altogether and fail to disclose on the label of the supplement the amount of cholesterol per serving. Educated consumers should always read the supplement facts label before consuming any protein powder or other supplement. So how does your protein powder stack up?
Charles Weller
Author