Cholesterol Lowering Foods - Our Guide To Cholesterol Lowering Foods

Knowing about cholesterol lowering foods is one of the most important factors in keeping cholesterol levels within a healthy range and to help lower already high cholesterol levels. There has been much research done to decide which the best cholesterol lowering foods are. There has also been a lot of research done to decide which foods raise the LDL “bad” cholesterol levels.

Raising HDL Cholesterol

Fruits and vegetables are some of the best cholesterol lowering foods as they help raise HDL “good” cholesterol, which in turns helps the body excrete unneeded LDL cholesterol. Oatmeal and oat bran are also extremely good at lowering LDL cholesterol, as they contain soluble fiber which lowers the absorption of LDL cholesterol in the intestines which allows the body to excrete it.

There are also other foods that contain soluble fiber such as kidney beans, sprouts, apples, pears, barley and prunes. Almonds and walnuts are also useful in the arsenal while lowering cholesterol. They reduce blood cholesterol and contain polyunsaturated fatty acids which help keep blood vessels healthy. Nuts are very high in calories so it is best to eat them in place of high calorie, high cholesterol foods.

Foods to Avoid

There are many foods that need to be avoided in order to allow the cholesterol lowering foods to do their job. Fried foods are a big one to avoid, also cheese and whole milk as they are some of the highest cholesterol content foods. Coconut oil, palm oil, and cocoa butter in foods should also be avoided as they act like saturated fats.

Keep Away the Extra Pounds

Increased body weight contributes to high cholesterol as the body contains more saturated fat along with the excess body fat. An important factor in reducing cholesterol is to reduce high calorie food such as sugar and alcohol. They provide few nutrients but many calories. Therefore, they contribute to high cholesterol by increasing body weight. Exercise is also an important part of losing weight and/or keeping off the extra weight. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise is most functional in less time. Walking and bike riding is on the top of the list in those studies.

Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements can play an important role in lowering cholesterol without the use of prescription drugs. Herbal supplements do not have the side effects that prescription drugs have and in most cases also have other health benefits as well. One of the main ingredients in the herbal supplements is Omega-3 fatty acids found in foods such as fish, flaxseed, walnuts, canola oil and soybean oil. Omega-3 fatty acids work by lowering triglycerides which are a good portion of the fats in the blood stream. It is important you look for supplements that have been carefully prepared and have used pharmaceutical grade compliance. This ensures you are getting a fresh quality supplement that contains only the most natural ingredients available.

Len Gibb is a webmaster who focuses on a wide array of niche health topics. His latest website - Natural Cholesterol Supplement focuses on cholesterol as a whole, and in particular, a natural product we personally use with excellent health results known as - Cholest-Natural