High blood lipid is a common disease in the elderly and poses great harm to their health. So how can the elderly reduce blood lipid levels in their diet? Let's take a look together.
What should the elderly eat to reduce blood lipid levels?
1. Chili
Chili has the highest proportion of vitamin C among all foods. Vitamin C can improve microcirculation, reduce capillary fragility, and also lower cholesterol levels. Japanese scholars have found that capsaicin can promote fat metabolism and prevent fat accumulation in the body, thus having the effect of reducing blood lipid levels and losing weight.
2. Cauliflower
Cauliflower comes in white and green varieties, and their nutritional values are basically the same. Cauliflower is low in calories, high in dietary fiber, and rich in vitamins and minerals. It is often referred to as a "gift from nature". Cauliflower contains a lot of flavonoids, which act as good vascular cleansers, effectively removing cholesterol deposits in blood vessels and preventing platelet aggregation, thus reducing the occurrence of heart disease.
3. Eggplant
Eggplant peel contains rich vitamin P, which has significant functions in lowering blood lipid and cholesterol levels. Vitamin P can also increase the elasticity of capillaries, improve microcirculation, and has obvious blood-activating and meridian-opening functions. In addition, eggplant also contains a large amount of saponins, which can lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Therefore, eggplant is an ideal food for patients with hypertension and arteriosclerosis.
4. Garlic
Garlic has a significant effect in lowering blood lipid levels and preventing arteriosclerosis, and can effectively prevent blood clot formation. Regular consumption of garlic can have a significant protective effect on the cardiovascular system. Garlic is known as the "golden plant in medicinal plants".
5. Bitter melon
Bitter melon has a cool and bitter taste and contains a lot of bitter melon saponins, which can stimulate insulin release and have a significant blood glucose-lowering effect. Bitter melon is also rich in vitamin B1, vitamin C, and various minerals, which can regulate blood lipid levels and improve immune function.
6 dietary methods to reduce blood lipid levels
1. Eat oatmeal porridge every morning
Eating a bowl of oatmeal porridge for breakfast every day for eight weeks can reduce the concentration of bad cholesterol in the blood by 10%. Eating oatmeal is an important dietary method to improve blood lipid levels and can reduce the risk of developing coronary artery disease and heart disease, especially for overweight or obese patients with hyperlipidemia.
2. Eat half a bowl of legumes for lunch
Replacing animal protein with soy protein can lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Eating half a bowl of legumes for lunch every day for eight weeks can reduce the concentration of bad cholesterol by 20%.
3. Eat 3 cloves of garlic for dinner
Eating 3 cloves of garlic every day for eight weeks can reduce the concentration of bad cholesterol in the blood by 10%. The nutrients in garlic, such as allicin, can relieve platelet aggregation, thereby preventing the formation of blood clots. People who regularly eat garlic have much less deposition on the inner wall of blood vessels compared to those who do not eat garlic.
4. Eat 50 grams of onions every day
Onions are almost fat-free, but contain prostaglandin A, diallyl disulfide, and sulfur amino acids. Prostaglandin A is a strong vasodilator, which can reduce the resistance of peripheral blood vessels, and has the function of reducing blood lipid levels and preventing blood clot formation. Eating about 50 grams of onions, approximately half an onion, every day will have a significant improvement effect.
5. Use sesame oil as cooking oil
Sesame oil contains 93% monounsaturated fatty acids, which are very beneficial for regulating blood lipid levels. The Bama people in Guangxi, China, use a lot of sesame oil as cooking oil and have a very low incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
6. Eat steamed fish twice a week
The fat in fish is mostly composed of unsaturated fatty acids. The fat and nutrient content of sea fish and freshwater fish differ greatly. Sea fish contains as much as 70% to 80% unsaturated fatty acids, which have the effects of reducing blood lipid levels, improving coagulation mechanisms, and reducing blood clot formation. Most sea fish also contain a component that can inhibit platelet aggregation, so eating fish twice a week is very beneficial for people with high cholesterol levels.
Dietary therapy for reducing blood lipid levels in the elderly
1. Mushroom and green vegetable
Take 250g fresh mushrooms and 500g green vegetable hearts, wash and slice them, stir-fry them in another pan with oil, and add salt and MSG to taste. This dish has the functions of clearing heat, soothing the liver, and reducing blood lipid and blood pressure levels. It is suitable for patients with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.
2. Tremella mushroom porridge
Soak 5g black fungus in water for half a day, cook it with 100g glutinous rice, and add rock sugar to taste. This porridge has the functions of nourishing the kidneys, supplementing the yuan, nourishing yin and blood, and is suitable for the elderly with arteriosclerosis, high blood coagulation, dizziness, and lower back pain.
3. Hawthorn malt drink
Take 10g fresh hawthorn and 10g fried malt, boil them and make tea. This drink has the functions of reducing blood lipid levels and improving digestion. It is suitable for patients with hyperlipidemia and gastrointestinal disorders caused by overeating.
4. Ginseng leaf tea
Take 3g ginseng leaves and brew them with boiling water to make tea, drink it once a day. This tea has the functions of invigorating qi, moisturizing the mouth, nourishing the heart, and replenishing the yuan. It is suitable for patients with palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and thirst caused by coronary heart disease and other heart diseases.
5. Lotus leaf drink
Take 100g fresh lotus leaves, wash and chop them, boil them and make tea. This drink has the functions of weight loss, reducing blood lipid levels, and clearing heat and relieving summer heat. It is suitable for obesity and summer heat.
6. Lotus leaf weight loss tea
Take 3g lotus leaf, 6g cassia seed, 3g rhubarb, 3g polygonum multiflorum, 3g hyacinth bean, and 3g globe amaranth, brew them with boiling water. This tea has the functions of weight loss, reducing blood lipid levels, and promoting bowel movements. It is suitable for obesity and constipation.
