5 Best Foods For Reducing Cholesterol Levels

by Joanne Suan on 2011/10/14

Fight the war on high cholesterol with these natural foods. Knock down your Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol levels naturally. These powerful foods in conjunction with a healthy diet and consistent exercising can easily help you win the war against bad LDL high cholesterol. High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol at high levels is actually good for you as it aids in bringing down the LDL cholesterol levels.

*Oats

Highly advertised on television as a powerful cholesterol-lowering agent, the oat is probably the most well-known of these foods. The oats have a deep history in Scotland, where it is the main staple of the Scottish diet. When the Scots settled in Vermont, they brought oats with them. Interestingly enough this background has made Vermont the state that eats the most oats.

The property of oat that helps in the fight against cholesterol is its soluble fiber. Soluble fiber makes it harder for LDL cholesterol to be absorbed in your intestines. Thus there is less externally created cholesterol floating around in your bloodstream. Too much LDL cholesterol can cause some of it to stick and accumulate on your arteries.

Oats are found in a wide variety of foods. Oatmeal is the most associated product with oats. If you don't like oatmeal, many companies are now incorporating oats into cereals, pasta, and bread. We suggest the cereals but not the pasta. Don't be afraid to add this powerful food to your arsenal.

*Garlic

This little bulb has been around and used for centuries. The bulb was nailed to doors and hung around necks to ward off vampires and other evil spirits. Some believe that eating the bulb can increase desire or the body's chi. Garlic is also used heavily in Mediterranean and Chinese cooking, which is probably why you don't hear much about Chinese vampires, lol.

The natural antioxidants in garlic are just part of the link that it is thought allows it to fight cholesterol. The thought is the antioxidants keep the LDL from sticking to arteries. Somehow Garlic also seems to have the ability to lower high blood pressure. Garlic when added to a healthy diet can also keep at check many flu and flu symptoms.

Garlic is available in many forms. You can eat it raw. Although, its resulting odor maybe more than some can handle. In cooking, the potency of the smell and taste of garlic is diluted, resulting in a more palatable concoction for most people. It can also be taken in powder or pill form as part of a supplement. One of the main known active ingredients is Allicen so ensure that processed garlic pills still have this ingredient.

*Onions

It is hard to talk about garlic without mentioning its close relative, the onion. Even more widely used than garlic, it was frequently consumed in ancient times. One of its most stunning purposes was that the onion was used to pay rent.

The chromium and B6 vitamins found in the onion are thought to be the cholesterol fighters in this popular food. They are linked to improving cholesterol levels and helping in the fight against heart disease. The onion is also known to help lower the risk of cancer.

Unfortunately, there are only two ways to eat an onion, raw or cooked. Yet with such a wide variety of onions available, it should be relatively easy to find a variety that appeases your taste buds. If you don't like the sharp taste of stronger onions, try the sweet variety.

*Virgin Olive Oil

Virgin Olive oil is a natural product originally made from Greek olives. Once immortalized as liquid gold by Homer, it held great popularity in ancient times. Religions saw the olive oil as a pure burning oil and is held in high esteem for many different type of ceremonies. It was once used as a cure for bad breath when it was turned into a mouthwash.

Olive oil contains good fat or monounsaturated fat. These fats assist in your efforts to lower your cholesterol. Switching your high bad fats with these good fats is a simple way to keep those bad fats out of your system.

Olive oil is widely available and easily obtained. Many companies are jumping on the 'health train' and using olive oil in their salad dressings and mayonnaise. The pill version of olive oil is available to take as well.

*Primrose Oil

The primrose is a plant found only in North and South America. The eye-catching yellow flowers open at night instead of during the day. It was once known as Kings cureall, due to its plethora of unsubstantiated medical properties.

Primrose oil contains a high amount of essential fatty acids. These fatty acids contribute to lowering your cholesterol levels. Along with this, primrose oil can help treat eczema and even help relieve PMS symptoms.

Primose oil is available as a supplement. Usually found in pill form, it can be found in most grocery stores. Consult your doctor before taking any type of supplement. If your doctor disapproves of any kind of supplement, consider alternate medical advice and see a certified naturopath.

Lowering your cholesterol is up to you. Combined with a healthy diet, these powerful foods will help you conquer those life threatening high ldl levels. You can conquer your high LDL cholesterol with the right food decisions.

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