Best Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder (2024): Keep Your Blood Pumping With These Picks

Choosing the best low-cholesterol protein powder you can find is a good idea if you want to look out for your heart health. Honestly, anyone with a heart (and that’s everyone) should always be thinking about their heart health, especially when you consider that heart disease is the leading cause of death in American adults.

If you are an active individual, you especially want to pay attention to the ol’ ticker. The better shape it’s in, the better blood circulates and the more optimal your performance and endurance can become…not to mention the muscle pumps. 

If you’re someone who already has heart issues, it may seem counterintuitive to consume something you might consider to be a processed food in the form of whey protein. However, if you know what to look out for, you can put yourself in the best possible position by choosing the best protein powder for your needs. 

Our team at GGR personally ordered, opened, and tested some of the protein powders we had a hunch might be good for cholesterol levels and only an elite few made the list. In this article, we’re going to share with you our picks for the best low-cholesterol protein powder with a registered dietitian to let you know just why we chose to highlight them. 

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

Best Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder

• Best Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder Overall: Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
• Best Budget Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder: Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate
• Best Vegan Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder: Ritual Essential Protein
• Best Whey Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder: Momentous Essential Grass-Fed Whey Isolate 
• Best Unflavored Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder: NOW Sports Whey Protein Isolate
• Best-Tasting Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder: Cellucor COR-Performance Whey Protein

Best Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder Overall: Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate

Good for: People looking for a clean, minimally processed protein powder that’s third-party tested

Best Overall

Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• High-quality whey protein isolate
• 28 grams of protein per serving
• 15 flavors to choose from
• $1.99 per serving

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High-quality protein
• No artificial sweeteners, food dyes, or preservatives
• Lots of flavors to choose from
• Good customer reviews
• Whey isolate may be easier to digest for some people
• Subscribe and save 10% plus free shipping

Cons

• Price per serving on the high end
• Some reviews complain that it's too sweet

Bottom Line

Our testers love Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate because we know exactly what's in it, and almost every flavor we've tried is a 5 out of 5 on taste. Yes, it's a little more expensive than other protein powders but you get what you pay for.

Transparent Labs is rapidly emerging as a leader in third-party tested dietary supplements for the active population. With so many good things going for it, from its lack of excess additives and fillers to its evidence-based formulation, we had to name it best overall. Of course, it contains only 1 gram of fat per serving of protein powder. 

That said, we gave it a 3.5 out of 5 rating in price, as $2 per serving is quite high by market standards and could quickly add up for people on a tight supplement budget. However, most of the price is justified by a formulation that’s impressively simple, which is why we gave it a 5-out-of-5 rating for formulation.

There are only five ingredients in the chocolate flavor of Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate: grass-fed whey protein isolate, cocoa powder, natural flavors, sodium chloride, and stevia extract. Folks, that’s all you really need. And Transparent Labs gives a rare, crystal-clear look at how many grams of every ingredient each serving contains. 

Don’t just take their word for it. Ellipse Analytics, an independent accredited lab, tested Transparent Labs’ Grass-Fed Whey Protein and found it ranked Above Average for protein content, label accuracy and purity, and potentially harmful substances like pesticides.

Learn more about our testing process in our Independent Supplement Testing Glossary.

We also rated it a 5 in taste as GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly, CPT, CNC, loved the Peppermint Hot Chocolate flavor, which he tried during a seasonal trial of the flavor. “It tastes as if you dropped a candy cane into a cup of hot chocolate and added protein to it,” he says.

There are so many flavors of this product and we’ve tried a ton of them, but we’re always a fan. 

Want a more comprehensive look at Transparent Labs’ Whey Protein Powder? Check out our full Transparent Labs Protein review. 

Best Budget Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder: Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate

Good for: Those who want a simple formulation without having to pay a premium price

Best Budget

Nutricost Whey Isolate

GGR Score: 3.5

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Product Highlights

• 30 grams of whey protein isolate per serving
• Available in 10 flavors, including unflavored
• High-quality ingredients and third-party testing
• Supports lean muscle growth and recovery after workouts

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Non-GMO and gluten-free
• Manufactured in cGMP-compliant facility
• Unflavored option only contains one ingredient, instantized whey protein isolate

Cons

• Some flavors are sold out
• Different flavors have different prices

Bottom Line

Nutricost Whey Isolate contains 30 grams of high-quality whey protein isolate, which is more than the average protein powder contains. It's gluten-free, non-GMO, manufactured in a GMP-compliant facility, and third-party tested.

Nutricost is a leader in offering affordable and accessible dietary supplements for active people. Their whey protein isolate is no different. Not only is it non-GMO and gluten-free, but the unflavored version contains whey protein isolate as the only ingredient, so we gave it a 4.5 out of 5 for formulation. 

As for this list, we did take off half a point because there is a small amount of saturated fat in it and a few of the fancier flavors (such as cookies and cream) contain a considerable amount of additives in comparison to the standard formula, as well as 2 grams of added sugar.

RELATED: The Best Sugar-Free Protein Powder

We have to give it 2 out of 5 for third-party testing, as none of the flavors have been certified by a lab. However, the protein is made in a GMP Compliant, FDA Registered Facility. As a final note, it pays to commit to Nutricost in terms of enrolling in their subscribe and save program or buying a 5-pound tub instead of 2 pounds. The former offers a 20% discount and the latter costs less per serving. 

Best Vegan Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder: Ritual Essential Daily Protein Shake 18+

Good for: People who don’t consume dairy products or who have lactose intolerance

Best Vegan

Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake

GGR Score: 4.13

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Product Highlights

• Organic pea protein powder
• 20 g of protein per serving
• Formulated to support adults 18-49
• Third-party tested
• 150 mg of choline per serving 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Soy-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly
• No artificial sweeteners
• Complete amino acid profile
• Non-GMO
• USA-grown peas

Cons

• Only comes in one flavor
• Price per serving is on the high end
• Velcro bag closure ineffective

Bottom Line

Ritual’s Essential Protein Daily Shake has 20 grams of protein per serving and 150 milligrams of chlorine (to support brain and nervous system function). This protein powder from Ritual is third-party tested and Informed Sport Certified, which means this formula has been screened for over 250 banned substances.

Ritual Essential Protein is a unique product since instead of just buying a sack of protein powder and being on your way, you sign up for a membership and have your protein sent to you monthly. Essential Protein is gluten-free and vegan-friendly. It’s also free of added sugar, artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors. Instead, it’s sweetened with a combination of fermented sugarcane and monk fruit.

We gave it a 5-out-of-5-star rating in formulation as there are not many fillers to be found. The source of protein in Ritual is pea protein. Plant-based protein powder is great for people at risk for heart disease as plant-based diets have been shown to reduce the risk¹ of heart disease and early death from heart attack. 

RELATED: Pea Protein Benefits

Furthermore, science has shown that pea protein, despite not being a complete protein, has a surprisingly high leucine content and can be just as effective² at promoting muscle growth as whey protein when daily protein needs are met. 

We gave Ritual a score of 1 out of 5 in price, as not only is almost $3 per serving pretty steep for a protein powder, you also have to commit to a membership to even get the product. Our GGR Senior Director of Content, Kate Meier, liked the taste of the protein powder, however. 

In addition, she says that even when mixed with water, there’s a little bit of chalky aftertaste, but it doesn’t bother her at all. “This has a shockingly great consistency,” she says. “Mixed in water, it dissolves and it also has a really smooth texture. It’s not thick, but it’s not watery like some proteins are.” 

So, we gave it a 4 for taste and a 5 for solubility, as Kate had no issues with the latter and was surprised at how good the consistency turned out. Finally, we loved how the powder is third-party tested for Informed Sport, making it a great plant-based protein for athletes.  

Read our full Ritual Protein Powder review to learn more.

Best Whey Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder: Momentous Essential Grass-Fed Whey

Good for: Athletes looking for a safe, high-quality protein powder that’s easy on the stomach

Best Whey

Momentous Grass-Fed Whey

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Grass-fed whey protein isolate 
• Cold-pressed with a micro-processing filtration 
• ProHydrolase enzyme blend 
• Protein is sourced from Irish cows

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clean ingredients
• Third-party verified
• Mixes well
• High-quality
• Bioavailable
• Subscribe and save 10% (25% off your first order)
• Free shipping on orders over $75
• Whey is sourced from grass-fed cows that are hormone-free, steroid-free, and antibiotic-free

Cons

• Unflavored may clump when mixing
• Expensive

Bottom Line

If you are willing to pay a premium price for a high-quality grass-fed whey protein, the Momentous brand is a solid choice. It is cold-pressed and put through a micro-processing filtration which is supposed to preserve the protein’s amino acid profile. While we cannot confirm that, we know it tastes darn good and did not upset any stomach during our testing.

Made in collaboration with registered dietitians, Momentous is a grass-fed whey protein that’s third-party tested by both Informed Sport and NSF for Sport. The grass-fed whey from Momentous is cold-pressed, which preserves more of the milk’s essential amino acids and nutrients and prevents protein denaturing. By doing so, though it may not help you better build muscle, Momentous claims that their protein can be digested more effectively.

RELATED: Understanding Protein Powder Labels

What also helps with digestion is a patented digestive enzyme called ProHydrolase that’s actually a blend of digestive enzymes that may help break down the milk protein in the supplement. Studies show that this assistance can help increase the blood levels of amino acids more quickly³ than protein powder that does not include digestive enzymes. 

That said, we did give it a 4 out of 5 for formulation as the ingredient list is longer than other protein powder brands on this list. GGR Senior Staff Writer and Olympic athlete Caine Wilkes tested Momentous for us and gave it a 4 for taste and a 5 for solubility. Even though he felt “meh” about mixing it with water, he thought the texture and taste were great when blended with milk, also remarking that it dissolved all the way. “With milk, the flavor reminded me of vanilla bean ice cream,” he says. Finally, we had to give this protein powder a 1 out of 5 for price, especially since there isn’t a lot of variety in terms of flavors.

Momentous also scored well in tests performed by Ellipse Analytics, an independent accredited lab, which found that the protein powder ranked in the top 50% of more than 150 samples sent to be tested for things like pesticides and other compounds.

Check out our Independent Supplement Testing Glossary for more information.

Learn more about it with our full Momentous Essential Grass-Fed Whey Protein review. 

Best Unflavored Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder: NOW Sports Whey Protein Isolate

Good for: Those who want a budget-friendly protein powder that’s great for protein shakes

Best Unflavored

NOW Sports Whey Protein Isolate

GGR Score: 4.15

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Product Highlights

• 25 g of whey protein isolate per serving 
• NPA A-rated GMP certified 
• No artificial colors, flavors, or additives
• Packaged in the USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No additives
• Pure protein isolate
• Budget-friendly
• Mixes well
• Unflavored powder that is nearly undetectable in smoothies and other flavored beverages

Cons

• Some reports of a sour aftertaste
• Some users complained of missing scoopers

Bottom Line

NOW Sports Whey Protein Isolate is an unflavored protein which delivers 25 grams of protein per serving along with a good profile of BCAAs.

NOW Sports is a brand trusted by many a registered dietitian who works with athletes and other active individuals as they are recognized for offering third-party-tested, clean sports nutrition supplements. We gave their whey protein isolate a 5 out of 5 for formulation as even the flavored versions have minimal ingredients. Just know they are sweetened with xylitol, a sugar alcohol that may cause GI distress in some people. 

We also gave it a score of 4 out of 5 for price with the protein supplement coming out to $1.45 per serving, at least when you purchase a 1.8-pound tub on Amazon. When Lauren Strong, GGR senior staff writer and certified personal trainer, tried NOW Sports Whey Isolate she didn’t think the taste was great when it was just mixed with water. “There is definitely a ‘whey’ taste, which is not that good,” she shares.  

However, Lauren thinks it would be good if you blend the powder into protein shakes or smoothies, so we gave it a 4 rating for taste and a 5 rating for solubility. Though there are 5 milligrams of cholesterol in the formulation, it contains 0 grams of fat and no added sugar as the supplement is sweetened with stevia. 

Read our full NOW Sports Whey Protein Isolate review to learn more. 

Best-Tasting Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder: Cellucor COR-Performance Whey Protein 

Good for: Individuals who want protein with a great flavor without added sugars

Best-Tasting

Cellucor COR-Performance Whey Protein

GGR Score: 4.9

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Product Highlights

• Fast-digesting whey protein containing 24 grams of whey protein per serving
• Available in molten chocolate and whipped vanilla
• Each serving is 120 calories and is formulated with 5.25 grams of naturally occurring BCAAs

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Tastes good, according to reviews
• Mixes well
• 24 grams of protein per serving
• Large tub (70 servings)
• Low in carbs and fats per serving

Cons

• Contains sucralose
• Only two flavor options

Bottom Line

Cellucor COR-Performance Whey Isolate Protein Powder delivers 24 grams of protein in each serving and is available in two flavors.

Our team at GGR loves Cellucor COR-Performance Whey Protein when we need a reliably delicious post-workout treat. Anthony O’Reilly, our GGR performance editor, goes as far as saying that it’s probably the best protein he’s ever had. “I mixed the Molten Chocolate flavor with 2% milk, and it tastes better than some of the more expensive protein powders I’ve tried,” he says. For that reason, we gave it a 5-out-of-5 rating in taste.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that this protein powder has 60 milligrams of cholesterol per serving, higher than any other protein powder on this list. However, recent research⁴ has shown little correlation between dietary cholesterol and its effects on blood cholesterol. In fact, according to a 2020 meta-analysis in Lipids in Health and Disease⁵, protein powder may even help reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in the body.

Cellucor COR-Performance Whey earns a 5 out of 5 for solubility, since Anthony found that it mixed well with and without the metal ball in his shaker bottle. “It’s thick, but it dissolves fully when you shake it. There are no clumps left behind,” he says.

RELATED: Cellucor Creatine Review

We also rated it a 5 out of 5 in formulation. The Molten Chocolate flavor consists of 24 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, and 4 grams of carbs. It also has digestive enzymes to help make it gentler on the stomach and has 0 grams of added sugar. One small note, though—it does use artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium. 

As if we didn’t love Cellucor COR-Performance Whey Protein enough, we gave it a rating of 5 out of 5 for price. It costs around $1.00 per serving, which we find impressive considering its great taste and mostly clean formulation. 

Other Low-Cholesterol Protein Powders We Researched

There are some other protein supplements our team of testers tried that didn’t quite make this list. The reason for this being our testers just didn’t like them as much as the brands listed above or that the cholesterol and/or saturated fat content was too high for us to recommend here. 

• Jacked Factory Authentic Whey: While our testers really like this protein, it isn’t third-party tested.
• Seeq Clear Whey Isolate: Our testers enjoyed the taste and uniqueness of this clear protein powder, however, both testers had GI distress after trying it the first time.
• Dymatize ISO 100: Our tester thought this protein was OK, but wasn’t wowed by the taste or customer service.

How We Picked and Tested the Best Low-Cholesterol Protein Powders

In order to compile this list of protein powders, we wanted to offer something for a wide range of people and goals. As mentioned, there are key nutrients to look out for on the nutrition label if you’re watching your blood sugar or total cholesterol levels, which we heavily weighed when making our list. We also considered the following criteria:

Lack of Additives

In most commercial protein powders, a lot of junk is present that does not contribute to improving body composition, performance, or wellness. A great deal of attention should be paid to ensuring that you are taking high-quality supplements and nutrient-dense whole foods as part of your efforts to prevent or manage heart disease. Low-grade inflammation can affect the arteries and effectively increase heart disease risk⁶.

Trusted Brands

As a team, we made it our priority to recommend protein powder brands that are not only well-known in the sports nutrition world, but trusted because of their integrity to make the best protein powders. The companies that we pointed out are those whose products we have tried first-hand and have come to rely on as a team of dietitians, trainers, and athletes.

Types of Protein and Content

To maintain a healthy level of muscle mass and encourage heart health, we wanted to choose protein powders that provide an adequate dose of essential amino acids from heart healthy sources. In addition, you should choose a type of protein powder that is specifically designed to help increase your protein intake.

That means that protein powder supplements meant to support weight gain like mass gainers would not be appropriate, as they often either leave milk fat in the supplement to boost the calories or add more fat to the powder. These fat sources can be bad for the heart when consumed consistently. 

Benefits of Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder

When it comes to whey protein supplementation, there are plenty of health benefits that can be gained, regardless of whether you are watching your heart health or just trying to control body weight in one direction or the other. Here are some of the most relevant:

Better Control Over Macros

For any of you out there who have had to track your macronutrients closely either to promote changes in body composition or for a competition, you know it’s easier said than done. This is especially true if you’re watching your intake of fatty acids (which you may be doing if trying to lower cholesterol), but you are having trouble meeting your protein intake. 

RELATED: What Should My Macros Be?

An ideal low-cholesterol protein powder will have little to zero grams of fat with many on our list containing zero grams of carbohydrates as well. The fact that protein supplements can help you meet your macronutrient targets without having to go through all of the trouble of trial and error can make them an invaluable tool. 

Lean Protein Source

Another thing that’s important for lower cholesterol is choosing protein sources wisely. Dietary cholesterol is a compound that can only be found in animal products. So, it’s no surprise that studies have shown that people who eat high-fat sources of animal protein have a higher risk of heart disease and higher blood pressure than adults who have a more plant-based diet that’s lower in bad fats⁷. 

That’s why adding a lean protein source in the form of whey, casein or plant-based protein powder can help with heart health if it displaces fattier types of protein in the diet such as pork and processed meats. 

RELATED: Best Heart Healthy Meal Delivery 

Can Help With Weight Loss

According to the American Heart Association⁸ excess weight can lead to higher levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, development of sleep apnea, and high blood pressure. These are all risk factors for stroke and heart attack, so management of body weight when looking out for your heart health is essential. 

This is where protein supplementation can help. Since protein promotes a feeling of fullness due to its slow digestion in the stomach, it can prevent the excess consumption of calories that can lead to weight gain. 

This is why a dietitian may recommend that someone attempting weight loss consume protein shakes before going out to eat, between meals, or late at night instead of high-calorie snacks, or on the side of a low-protein meal to help with satiety. 

RELATED: Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss

Dosing and Interactions 

It is likely that most adults can safely consume whey protein when taken as directed. With high protein doses, you can experience whey protein side effects such as nausea, bloating, headaches, bowel movement changes, and acne.

However, unless you have sensitivities to lactose or have a dairy allergy, protein powder can be a completely safe source of calcium and essential amino acids. If you take prescription medications, it’s a good idea to discuss the potential interactions or side effects of any new supplement with your primary care provider. 

Third-Party Testing

Protein powders do not need to be tested by a third party for them to benefit wellness or to be good for cholesterol levels. There is, however, an extra layer of safety that you can get from these certifications.

A protein powder brand that has been tested by a third party is also letting you know that it has been cleared by an unbiased source of containing heavy metals, banned substances, and other harmful ingredients that may have been accidentally or intentionally added during processing.

RELATED: How Is Protein Powder Made?

Even though third-party testing is not a requirement for most people choosing a protein supplement, I always recommend third-party-tested protein powder to my athletes. On our list, you will find plenty to choose from. 

Buying Guide: What to Look for in Low-Cholesterol Protein Powder

So, what’s important to scan the label for when trying to find your new favorite, low-cholesterol protein powder? There are a few nutrients and ingredients to be wary of, but there are a few important things to remember. 

According to the American Heart Association⁹, the best way to treat high cholesterol is to focus on your intake of trans and saturated fats, rather than counting the milligrams of dietary cholesterol consumed. This is because foods that are high in trans and saturated fats also tend to be high in cholesterol. 

However, there are some foods, like shrimp and eggs, that are high in cholesterol and not high in saturated fat but have not been proven to be bad for heart health. This is why these are some of the nutrients we chose to highlight in this section among others to be sure to check before buying. 

Trans Fat

This is the worst type of fat that food can contain, which is the reason it’s been banned in many countries for use and the USDA recommends consuming as little of these fats as possible. One study has even shown that Denmark has managed to decrease the national death of its citizens by heart disease by 50%¹⁰ since banning the sale of food items that contain trans fats.

Trans fats may also be listed as “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated“ fats on the ingredient list. These are man-made fats used to increase the texture and shelf life of some food items. It is also important to keep in mind that trans fats, in small amounts, can also be found naturally in many foods, including some meats, dairy products, and some processed or fried foods.

Saturated Fat 

The national recommendation for saturated fat is that no more than 5% to 6% of your daily calories come from saturated fat. These fats can only be found in animal products, which is why nutrition professionals recommend that one consume mainly sources of lean protein like chicken breast or seafood. 

Studies have firmly established that saturated fat’s ability to raise your LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol^11. LDL (or low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is dangerous when it gets too high, because the low density makes the lipoprotein fragile when it passes through the bloodstream. This fragility leads to the lipoprotein molecules leaving pieces of themselves behind in your arteries in the form of plaque¹².

When plaque buildup becomes high enough, it can form a blockage in the arteries that no longer allows blood to pass through, which is what leads to a heart attack. This is why, when choosing your protein powder, you want the saturated fat content to be as low as possible. 

Total Sugar

It may not make intuitive sense right away, but many do not know how a refined carb or added sugars can affect the heart. One study noted that refined carbohydrates, especially sugar-sweetened beverages, have the potential to raise triglycerides, lower HDl cholesterol and increase risk of coronary heart disease while whole grains are protective against it¹³. 

The study even said that an extra one to two servings of refined grains or high-sugar foods can increase risk by approximately 10% to 20%. The American Heart Association recommends¹⁴ that men limit their intake of added sugars to 36 grams per day and that women have no more than 25 grams per day.

Sodium

According to the American Heart Association¹⁵, the body only needs less than 500 milligrams of sodium per day to function properly. What does this mean? You don’t need to go overboard, people! The maximum recommended amount of sodium for most people is 2,300 milligrams of sodium. 

There are however some groups at risk for developing heart disease who should consume less sodium than 1,500 milligrams a day¹⁶. This includes African Americans, older adults, and people with hypertension, diabetes, and/or kidney disease. While this seems like a doable number, I challenge all of you out there to track your sodium for the day and see how quickly you blow through this number. 

A typical American diet tends to be high in sodium because we consume so many processed foods as a whole, which typically contain large amounts of sodium to extend the shelf life and make the product less expensive to hold in stores. Hence why it is so essential that you look out for this if you are concerned about your heart health in general, and this includes looking for it in your protein powder.

If you’re an active individual who needs to get some extra electrolytes in to help with hydration, you don’t have to worry about this aspect. However, those at risk should be vigilant. Please talk to a registered dietitian or your cardiologist if you need more help figuring out what to avoid or look for in your diet to keep your heart strong. 

FAQs About Low-Cholesterol Protein Powders

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

References

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2. Babault N, Païzis C, Deley G, et al. Pea proteins oral supplementation promotes muscle thickness gains during resistance training: a double-blind, randomized, Placebo-controlled clinical trial vs. Whey protein. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12(1):3. Published 2015 Jan 21. doi:10.1186/s12970-014-0064-5
3. Townsend JR, Morimune JE, Jones MD, et al. The Effect of ProHydrolase® on the Amino Acid and Intramuscular Anabolic Signaling Response to Resistance Exercise in Trained Males. Sports (Basel). 2020;8(2):13. Published 2020 Jan 22. doi:10.3390/sports8020013
4. Fernandez, M. L., & Murillo, A. G. (2022). Is There a Correlation between Dietary and Blood Cholesterol? Evidence from Epidemiological Data and Clinical Interventions. Nutrients, 14(10), 2168. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102168
5. Amirani, E., Milajerdi, A., Reiner, Ž., Mirzaei, H., Mansournia, M. A., & Asemi, Z. (2020). Effects of whey protein on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Lipids in health and disease, 19(1), 209. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-020-01384-7
6. Henein MY, Vancheri S, Longo G, Vancheri F. The Role of Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(21):12906. Published 2022 Oct 26. doi:10.3390/ijms232112906
7. Chung, S., Chung, M. Y., Choi, H. K., Park, J. H., Hwang, J. T., & Joung, H. (2020). Animal Protein Intake Is Positively Associated with Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Korean Men. Nutrients, 12(11), 3415. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113415
8. The American Heart Association. Lose Weight and Lower Heart Disease Risk. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/go-red-get-fit/lose-weight-lower-heart-disease-risk
9. The American Heart Association. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia.
10. Iqbal MP. Trans fatty acids – A risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Pak J Med Sci. 2014;30(1):194-197. doi:10.12669/pjms.301.4525
11. Lichtenstein AH, Appel LJ, Vadiveloo M, et al. (2021) Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021;144(23):e472-e487. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001031
12. Jung E, Kong SY, Ro YS, Ryu HH, Shin SD. Serum Cholesterol Levels and Risk of Cardiovascular Death: A Systematic Review and a Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(14):8272. Published 2022 Jul 6. doi:10.3390/ijerph19148272
13. Temple NJ. Fat, Sugar, Whole Grains and Heart Disease: 50 Years of Confusion. Nutrients. 2018;10(1):39. Published 2018 Jan 4. doi:10.3390/nu10010039
14. The American Heart Association. How Much Sugar is Too Much?. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/how-much-sugar-is-too-much 
15. The American Heart Association. How much sodium should I eat per day? https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sodium/how-much-sodium-should-i-eat-per-day
16. Fulgoni VL 3rd, Agarwal S, Spence L, Samuel P. Sodium intake in US ethnic subgroups and potential impact of a new sodium reduction technology: NHANES Dietary Modeling. Nutr J. 2014;13(1):120. Published 2014 Dec 18. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-13-120

Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD

Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD is a sports dietitian and the head of performance nutrition for the NBA G League Ignite. In addition to working with pro athletes, Destini has ghostwritten four weight loss and wellness cookbooks. She also authors online content covering fitness and nutrition topics.

Further reading

3 Of The Best Kettlebell Arm Workouts For Stronger Upper Body

by Christopher Covello

Did you know that all you need to get jacked biceps and triceps is a single kettlebell? Check out our kettlebell arm workout right here! Read more

One-Dumbbell Workout: Build Muscle With Just a Single Dumbbell

by Christopher Covello

Did you know you can still get a fantastic full-body workout using just a single dumbbell? Try our trainer-approved one-dumbbell workout now! Read more

Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery: 11 Top Picks for Flexitarians, Vegetarians, and Vegans

by Stephanie Wells, MS, RD, LD, ACSM-CPT

Looking for the best plant-based meal delivery service? Our team tested and ranked them so you don’t have to. Read more

Can I Mix Creatine With Pre-Workout? How to Maximize Your Muscle-Building Potential

by Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC

A commonly asked question is, "Can I mix creatine with pre-workout?" With this guide, discover the best way to utilize both supplements to build muscle, recover quickly, and achieve your fitness goals. Read more