A Cholesterol Question from Michelle!

Michelle's Question:

Hi Preethi!!!

How are you and your family??  I know that by His grace you are well.  Preethi, I have had a nutrition question, that I cannot find an answer to, and wonder if you can help.  I was sitting here praying asking God about this, and I thought of you!  So here goes:

I have always heard that fish is good to include in the diet, because of (omega 3-fatty acids whatever those are;)).  I "knew" on the other hand, that shrimp was not so good, because of it being a food that is high in cholesterol.  Yet, just a few days ago, I looked carefully at the label on some frozen tilapia fillet fish, that I was preparing and was disappointed to see that it contained about 40 mg/4oz serving.   

1) if shrimp has cholesterol and fish also does, then why is fish "good" and shrimp "bad"? 

2)I think I read that fish (esp fatty fish) in a diet can help lower  blood cholesterol, but how can this be so if it (fish) contains cholesterol?

3) So if I am trying to lower cholesterol in our diet should  eliminate fish, because of it's cholesterol content? or is some fish better than others?

Thanks to God for any knowledge that He may haven given you that you might share with us.

In Christ with you,

Michelle (please send my very warm greetings to your mother).

My Answer to Michelle: 

Dear Michelle, 

Thank you so much for your email! It is a blessing to hear from you after we have not met in so long. Here is what I would say about the cholesterol and fish/shrimp issue:

1. Cholesterol is a necessary nutrient and is the component of the central nervous system and bile acids.

2. All natural foods consumed in moderation are well-tolerated; the problem with the high-cholesterol state in people is mainly due to an excess consumption of calories, sugar, refined carbohydrates, or exorbitant amounts of meat.

3. Yes, some fish is better than others. Fish highest in omega 3 fatty acids are the best with regard to prevention of heart disease and improvement of blood lipid parameters. These fish include salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, and albacore tuna. In general nutritionists ask clients to limit consumption of fish to 3 times per week to avoid potential mercury poisoning issues.

4. The problem with cholesterol/saturated fat intake with regard to heart disease is that fatty acids become oxidized. To prevent this process, eat foods containing antioxidants. These foods would be the colorful fruits and vegetables like blueberries, tomatoes, carrots, cherries, etc.

5. High cholesterol can be better treated through diet by eliminating white bread, white sugar, refined foods, eating out, excess calories etc. Eliminating fish is likely not going to help. In fact including the types of fish mentioned above would probably help greatly.

May God bless you as you seek His will to show His physical love to your family!

Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. I Cor 10:17

Love in Christ,

Preethi

Mayo Clinic: Foods for Reducing Cholesterol Levels

Proverbs 31:15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

A Way to Prepare Healthy Meals for your Family out of the Real Food that God Provides

I. Sign up for a free account at the Nutrition Data Website 

Things you can do on this website:
1. look at the content and percentage of recommended daily intake of all reported vitamins, minerals, fat, carbohydrate, protein, fiber, water, and calories
2. see the composition of fat, protein, carbohydrate as percentage of total calories
3. create recipes (or meals) and analyze the nutritional value
4. includes a very comprehensive data base that includes almost any food, spice, drink, etc. that you can think of, portion sizes may be designated as well
5. includes an essential amino acid score. you can look at lists of foods which complement the amino acid composition of your food, recipe, or meal of interest
6. a nutrient balance score and nutritional target score are included
7. contains helpful instructions for you if you do not know how to use a feature

II. look at the health benefits of the world's healthiest foods at the World's Healthiest Food Website

III. These Websites have Good Wholefood Recipes

* Heavenly Homemakers
* Clean and Delicious
* Healthy Indulgences
* Nourished Kitchen 
* Nourishing Days
* All Creatures 
* Keeper of the Home
* The Healthy Advocate
* Whole Foods 
* Mayo Clinic
* Natural Moms
* Epicurious 
* Good Housekeeping
* Kath Eats Real Food
* 100 Days of Real Food Living
* Kalyn's Kitchen 
* Happy Herbivore
* Real Food Living

IV. Christina Swigart (M.S.) is an excellent certified nutritionist from our church. From her Practical Nutrition Website, you can see that she is well-researched and delivers up-to-date information to all her clients.

Introduction

I commit this blog, "Brought Forth From the Earth" to God, who has created plants and animals for the nourishment, growth, and enjoyment of mankind for the praise of His glory. I remember that "food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will destroy them both" and that our "citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there: the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His heavenly body". I remember also that we ought not to be like those whose "god is their stomach and whose glory is in their shame". I thank God for the food He has given us and based on experience I realize how important it is that we eat God-made food with thankful hearts. Most importantly, may we ever feed on the body of Christ: the Word of God, and drink of the New Covenant in His Blood poured out for us.

The recipes in this blog are created from "whole foods", foods that are left largely unprocessed, unaltered, and free of preservatives and common food additives. My personal beliefs are that we ought to consume food in as natural a form as possible in balanced quantities (including carbohydrates, fat, and protein), in variety (different ethnicities, plant/animal types), and in moderation (according to individual specific-caloric needs which may be derived intuitively for many of us). I have recently come to learn that when I have to eat out or in other people's homes, even though most of the time the food is not healthy, I ought to give thanks to God and eat it as to the Lord if I am required to.

Many of you (included in my newsletter list, who have been guests in our home) have asked me to write down these kind of healthy recipes in one place. I pray that Lord willing I may keep adding recipes with time.

Love to you and blessings to your Spiritual health in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father!