Top cardiologist labels breakfast staple as 'cholesterol bombs' in latest dietary warning

A leading heart specialist has revealed the top three foods to avoid for those aiming to slash their cholesterol levels, branding one particularly common item as a "cholesterol bomb".

Dr Steven Lome, who recently featured on the Physicians Committee podcast, highlighted the dietary villains that could wreak havoc on cholesterol balance.

It's crucial to distinguish between the two primary forms of cholesterol: HDL, dubbed the 'good' cholesterol for its protective role against heart disease and stroke, and LDL, the notorious 'bad' cholesterol that can clog arteries and elevate heart disease risk.

Maintaining high HDL and low LDL cholesterol levels is vital for cardiovascular health, experts assert.

In his discussion, Dr Lome pinpointed processed meats, red meats, and eggs as the chief culprits to steer clear of, reports .

He warned: "Processed meats, pepperoni, baloney, salami, sausage, things like that, they're extremely high in saturated fat and, most of the time most, saturated fat has the biggest impact and they are high in saturated fat.

"They also have a good amount of dietary cholesterol which we need to remember, dietary cholesterol is not an essential nutrient. Processed meats I think by far would be the worst."

Following close behind were red meats, still packed with significant amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat, making them prime candidates for being cut from diets. Eggs, in particular, were given a stern warning.

He said: "Eggs are a cholesterol bomb, I hear people call them. That yoke is just so full of cholesterol. In most surveys, eggs are the number one source of dietary cholesterol in the American diet."

Research also backs up the discussion around which foods affect cholesterol levels. According to a study published in Science Direct journal, examining the relationship between blood lipid levels and eggs concluded: "When combined with healthy eating patterns that include more dietary fibre or fish, eggs may be beneficially associated with lipid outcomes. Overall, these results provide no evidence that egg intake should be limited when consumed as a part of a fibre-rich, heart- healthy diet."

Separate research has flagged concerns about eggs potentially driving up levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol. A study in the Nutrients journal concluded: "Notably, longer-term high egg-consumption may lead to higher LDL-c/HDL-c ratio and LDL-c. However, RCTs with long tern follow-up are needed to guarantee the association between egg consumption and human health."

Red and Processed Meat.

Consuming red and processed meat has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, a University of Oxford study found. Published in the Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition journal, the research suggested that eating more red and processed meat could increase the risk of heart disease.

Co-lead author Dr Keren Papier said: "Red and processed meat have been consistently linked with bowel cancer and our findings suggest an additional role in heart disease.

"Therefore, current recommendations to limit red and processed meat consumption may also assist with the prevention of coronary heart disease."

Other experts have also cautioned against eating processed and red meat due to its potential impact on cholesterol and heart disease risk. Health and wellness expert Alex Dyer, in an interview with GloucestershireLive, has sounded the alarm over processed meats, cautioning: "Reducing processed meats is not just about lowering cholesterol. It's about giving your heart the best chance to perform at its peak, whether that's during mountain treks or daily activities."

Dyer elaborated on the massive benefits kicking processed meats can bring: "When clients start cutting out processed meats, they often notice improvements in energy levels and recovery times. It's a change that supports better circulation and reduces the load on the cardiovascular system. The body becomes more efficient, endurance increases, and overall wellness improves."

For savvy readers keen on learning how to trim down their cholesterol, a treasure trove of information awaits on the NHS website.