Jb Anthony asked:


There are many benefits to knowing foods that lower cholesterol. You will known what to avoid and what to stock up on. Health should be a primary concern, so you should be careful of the food you eat, since they affect you. With the rise of more processed food full of unsaturated fat, it is no wonder that more people have high cholesterol levels. This could lead to health problems.

To ensure that you are safe from cholesterol-related problems, be aware of the food that can harm you and those that can lower the level. The following are three examples of foods that can help you in your quest to lower cholesterol levels.

- Almonds, Walnuts, and More

Almonds and walnuts are full of polyunsaturated fatty acids that keep the blood vessels elastic and healthy. Eating them for a period of four weeks will greatly improve your health. Instead of cheese or meat that are full of unsaturated fat in your salads, use nuts instead. However, since nuts are rich in calories, you have to be careful not to go overboard.

- Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their triglyceride-lowering effect but other than that, they reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of blood clots. People who are suffering from heart attacks can also find that omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil can reduce the risk of sudden death.

Two servings of fish a week is recommended by doctors. You can eat baked or grilled albacore tuna, herring, lake trout, mackerel, salmon, and sardines.

Omega-3 fatty acids are not found in fish alone. You can get them from canola oil, flaxseed, soybean oil, and walnuts, too.

- Oat Bran and Oatmeal

Oat bran and oatmeal contain soluble fiber that can lower low density lipoprotein (LDL), which is a bad type of cholesterol. Soluble fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines and binds bile and dietary cholesterol for the body to excrete later.

Besides oats, soluble fiber can also be found in apples, barley, Brussels sprouts, kidney beans, pears, prunes, and psyllium.

Foods that lower cholesterol are good for you, but you do not have to take too much of them, lest you develop other ailments. While some of them do reduce the levels of cholesterol in your body, they can also increase the fat, like nuts and other types of oil.

Before you subject yourself to a different diet than the one you are used to, consult a doctor first. Medical opinion is always important, if ever anything goes wrong or if your new diet won’t work on you.

It you plan to take foods that lower cholesterol, make sure your body can handle the change. Do not starve yourself and do not deprive yourself of most foods just because they contain a few fats. Moderation is key.

Andrew Bicknell asked:


High levels of circulating blood cholesterol are considered a very serious health risk. In fact it is a leading factor in the development of heart disease and the risk of having a stroke. Of particular concern are high levels of LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol which is the primary cause of many cardiovascular health problems. In order to combat this problem it may be necessary to make dietary changes based on lower cholesterol food.

In order to lower your dietary intake of cholesterol you can limit the following food choices in your diet.

-Foods that contain large amounts of saturated fats and Trans fats found in fast foods and processed foods.

-Margarines and baked goods that contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

-Products made from whole milk that contains dairy fats.

-Most vegetable oils and lard.

-Fatty cuts of meat and poultry.

-Food products that contain large amounts of refined sugars and flour.

Cholesterol exists in all animals and the food products that we get from them. Animal and hydrogenated fats remain solid at room temperature and contain what is known as “bad” or LDL cholesterol. Trans fats are also known to raise LDL levels in the blood to dangerous levels.

In fact scientific studies have shown that these types of saturated, hydrogenated, and Trans fats contribute more to high cholesterol levels then actually eating foods with cholesterol in them.

By eating healthy you can use food to lower your cholesterol significantly. Your food choices should include:

-Fruits and vegetables, most of which are cholesterol-free, and which help lower cholesterol levels.

-Whole-grain breads and cereals.

-Low-fat or skim milk, yogurt, sour cream and cheeses.

-Canola oil or extra virgin olive oil.

-Chicken, turkey and fish.

-Legumes and nuts.

-Garlic

-Margarines made of plant sterol esters, which help to lower cholesterol levels.

High fiber foods are always a good choice as they help absorb and remove cholesterol from the digestive system. Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids are also a good choice. Omega-3’s help raise your “good” or HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol. HDL works by removing LDL cholesterol from the blood stream, lowering levels of the bad stuff.

By following this simple advice you can reduce your heart disease risk through lower cholesterol food. Your health is definitely worth it.

Andrew Bicknell asked:


There are two types of cholesterol that circulate through the body’s blood stream; LDL or low density lipoproteins and HDL or high density lipoproteins. LDL is considered bad and HDL is considered good because of the way they work in the body.  High levels of LDL cholesterol are a leading factor for increasing the risk of heart disease while HDL cholesterol is known to reduce this risk.

One of the easiest ways to control this is by choosing food to eat to lower cholesterol. It really can be that easy; just some simple dietary changes can have a profound effect on your cholesterol and your health. But then your mom always told you you are what you eat.

In this “fast food” world there has never been a truer statement. There are many foods that you can eat to significantly lower bad LDL blood cholesterol levels.

1. Eat more fiber rich foods, particularly oat bran, barley, and wheat bran. These high fiber foods are not only key to helping lower cholesterol levels but they are also good for proper bowl function and help to lower the risk of colon cancer. Most fruits and vegetables also contain good amounts of fiber and they are cholesterol free.

2. Beans and lentils are also high fiber foods that contain a substance known as lecithin, which has been shown to help reduce LDL’s.

3. Snack on raw carrots. Carrots contain a large amount of a fiber called pectin which has been shown to lower cholesterol. Fruits such as apples, citrus fruits, strawberries, and raspberries also contain pectin.

4. The Japanese have long used shitake mushrooms in many of their meals, and for good reason. Rich in a compound called lentinan that not only helps in the fight against high cholesterol it also helps boost the immune system.

5. Use more garlic in your recipes. Garlic has many health benefits, one of which includes the substance allicin which is believed to help rid the body of LDL cholesterol. Scientific studies have shown that eating one clove a day can reduce cholesterol levels by 10%-15%.

6. Nuts such as walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and almonds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are known to significantly lower levels of LDL cholesterol while raising good HDL levels.

7. Sesame seeds, celery, lettuce, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes, ginger, squash and strawberries contain a cholesterol fighting compound known as phytosterols.

8. Omega-3 fatty acids. These are some of the most powerful natural cholesterol reducers health researchers have found. Seafood such as salmon, tuna, and sardines are rich in omega-3s. It can also be found in safflower, canola, soybean, and olive oil which are all also good sources of monounsaturated fats.

9. Saponin, a substance found in alfalfa sprouts, is thought to reduce and inhibit the formation of cholesterol forming plaques in the arteries.

These are all food to eat to lower cholesterol naturally and in most cases simply eating healthy and exercising will give you the results you need. Only in extreme cases where cholesterol is dangerously high will your doctor prescribe drugs. But it is important to consult with your doctor to determine the best course of action if you do suffer from high cholesterol.