How Does Salmon Affect Cholesterol?
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Salmon can be regarded as a tasty, hearty fish. Salmon can be cooked in many different ways from salmon patties to salmon steaks; stuffed salmon or smoked. But one other benefit that salmon provides is that it helps fight cholesterol. This article will explain just how the upstream fish can push your cholesterol downstream.
Good and Bad Cholesterol
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Cholesterol is a chemical that can be found both naturally inside your body and in foods you eat. Cholesterol's role is to help your cells stay fluid and allow molecules to pass through them more freely. There are two main types of cholesterol: the "good" cholesterol known as HDL, and the "bad" LDL. LDL is considered bad because it likes to bind to your arteries and help form plaque. Too much buildup can lead to a heart attack.
That's why it's important to not only lower the amount of LDL in your diet but to also add nutrients that will help lower existing amounts. Those nutrients can be found in salmon. -
Salmon and Omega-3
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It has long been recommended that eating fish should be part of a healthy diet. Salmon is no exception. Salmon is high in protein, low in fat, low in salt, and can add important nutrients like potassium and calcium to your diet. The biggest benefit salmon provides is high quantities of Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
These Omega-3 Acids, docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are known to reduce blood pressure and improve blood circulation. Improved circulation means bringing more HDL to your artery walls, therefore pushing away the LDL cholesterol more effectively. Omega-3 also reduces triglycerides, which cause a narrowing of the arteries.
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