Foods That Lower Cholesterol

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By Athlyn Green

Heart-Healthy Walnuts

Photo Credit: Sabine, Purcell Mountain Farms
Photo Credit: Sabine, Purcell Mountain Farms

Certain foods can lower cholesterol

High cholesterol can be a cause for concern. Thankfully, many foods have cholesterol-lowering properties, which can make a difference to blood cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol-Lowering Foods

Cholesterol-lowering foods, high in soluble fiber (oats, oranges, pears, brussels sprouts, carrots, dried peas and beans) or that contain plant sterols (seeds and nuts or cholesterol lowering margarine or salad dressing) can lower undesirable low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.

Foods that Lower Cholesterol

Fish And Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Consumption of fish can cut the risk of dying from heart disease by 45%. The fat in fish aids in cholesterol reduction, prevents blood clots from forming, and lessens the chances of irregular heart beats that cause many sudden deaths each year.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds contain unsaturated fats. Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) while raising the beneficial HDL. Seeds contain high amounts of minerals and vitamins.

A Cholesterol-Lowering Diet and Weight Loss

Another benefit of changing your eating habits is weight loss. If you get into the habit of eating whole grains and lots of vegetables and legumes, and watching the types of fats that you use on a regular basis, you may find that you shed unwanted pounds.

When you adopt heart-friendly eating habits, you reap additional benefits.

Kamut--Ancient Grain

Image: Heirloom Grain, Never Genetically Modified
Image: Heirloom Grain, Never Genetically Modified
Source: Image Sabine, Purcell Mountain Farms

Healthful Eating Doesn't Have to be Boring

Healthful eating doesn't have to be boring.

  • Whole grains add taste and texture
  • Nuts offer crunchy goodness
  • Fruits are delicious, incorporated into muffins, granola, pancakes, etc

Maple Pecan Dream Granola

Image: Crunchy Maple Pecan Granola. Delicious!
Image: Crunchy Maple Pecan Granola. Delicious!
Source: Image Sabine, Purcell Mountain Farms

Foods that Lower bad Cholesterol

Soft Cranberries

Image: Soft Cranberries Make a Great Tasting Snack
Image: Soft Cranberries Make a Great Tasting Snack
Source: Image Sabine, Purcell Mountain Farms

Dates

Image: Who Doesn't Enjoy Dates?
Image: Who Doesn't Enjoy Dates?
Source: Image Sabine, Purcell Mountain Farms

Anasazi Beans

Image: Cholesterol-Lowering Beans Come in a Stunning Variety
Image: Cholesterol-Lowering Beans Come in a Stunning Variety
Source: Image Sabine, Purcell Mountain Farms

Want To Lower Cholesterol Levels? Think: Plant-Based Foods

Really, there is no mystery to ideal cholesterol levels. If you turn to plant-based foods, you can improve your health. Curbing or eliminating harmful fats and processed foods can help your body to heal itself. A nutritious plant-based diet, decreases weight, improves health right across the board, reduces risks for diseases caused by diet, and can reduce high cholesterol and increase longevity.

Comments

Narasimhan ehhesenn@gmail.com 3 weeks ago

Write up on cholesterol lowering foods are informative to adopt. Thanks a lot.

Narasimhan

Athlyn Green profile image

Athlyn Green Hub Author 3 years ago

Hi Nicholas,

Yes, you really can lose weight by simply eating the right kinds of foods. The great thing is that if you get into the habit of eating these foods, you will lose weight and can still have the odd snack, while protecting heart health.

I did an article on cinnamon and its relation to cholesterol levels:

http://www.helium.com/knowledge/9328-health-benefi

In considering cinnamon as a potential treatment for elevated cholesterol, this spice may prove to be of great value in assisting patients to maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

nachase profile image

nachase 3 years ago

Athlyn, Great post. I am currently in a weight reduction and cholesterol lowering project. After two months of exercycling 15-miles per day, 5 days per week, and following a diet containing many of the foods you described, I have lost 14.5 pounds. Another dietary item studied by universities recently stated that 1/4-teaspoon of Cinnamon twice-daily, lowers the LDL-cholesterol. Thanks for the great information..now where did I put those Anasazi beans? Respectfully, Nicholas

Athlyn Green profile image

Athlyn Green Hub Author 4 years ago

Hi robie,

Thanks so much for your favorable comments. I will be writing more articles in future.

robie2 profile image

robie2 Level 6 Commenter 4 years ago

Excellent info and soooo well organized. Like the links to your blog too. Very informative--worth a bookmark and a thumbs up. Thanks.

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