Short Answer: Shrimp is good for high cholesterol. Because it has omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and selenium and they can lower your triglycerides, help you feel full, and protect your cells from damage.
High cholesterol is a condition that affects your blood vessels.
In high cholesterol, your body has too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
One of the key factors in managing high cholesterol is diet.
What you consume can affect your cholesterol levels, which can impact your high cholesterol symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage high cholesterol, you should consume fiber-rich foods like oats, beans, and fruits, and avoid saturated fat-rich foods like butter, cheese, and fatty meats.
Now, shrimp is a type of shellfish that has an elongated body and a muscular tail.
People usually eat shrimp boiled, grilled, fried, or in dishes like shrimp scampi or shrimp curry.
Shrimp is good for high cholesterol because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and selenium.
Omega-3 fatty acids can lower your triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood that can raise your risk of heart disease.
Protein can help you feel full and maintain your muscle mass. Selenium is an antioxidant that can protect your cells from damage.
Three ounces of cooked shrimp can give you about 17 grams of protein (34% of your daily needs), 0.9 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (45% of your daily needs for men, 68% for women), and 34.8 micrograms of selenium (63% of your daily needs).
Omega-3 fatty acids can positively affect high cholesterol by reducing inflammation, improving blood vessel function, and lowering blood pressure.
Protein can positively affect high cholesterol by helping you control your weight and appetite.
Selenium can positively affect high cholesterol by preventing oxidative stress and improving immune system function.
Furthermore, shrimp is a seafood and seafood is good for high cholesterol.
Because, seafood is low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated fat, which can improve your cholesterol profile.
You can eat up to two servings of shrimp per week safely.
More than that can cause excess intake of cholesterol, sodium, and mercury.
Cholesterol can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, sodium can increase your blood pressure, and mercury can harm your nervous system.
Also, you shouldn’t eat shrimp if you have an allergy to shellfish to prevent anaphylaxis.
Because, anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can cause breathing difficulties, shock, and even death.
You can buy fresh shrimp in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose shrimp that are firm, translucent, and smell fresh.
Because, these are signs of good quality and freshness.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to two days or in the freezer for up to three months.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing high cholesterol effectively.
I always recommend my high cholesterol patients to follow a high cholesterol-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.