Cholesterol Lowering Foods
Cholesterol is a leading factor contributing to heart disease. Since
heart disease is the primary cause of death in the U.S., it behooves
many people to educate themselves on cholesterol lowering foods. Replacing food high in cholesterol with foods that lower cholesterol is one great way to reduce the risk of heart disease.
One of the easiest ways to fight high cholesterol levels is making sure to eat only whole grains.
Whole grain bread is much healthier and nutritious than "white" bread,
and often has a more complex taste. A piece of whole grain toast, for
instance, can be topped with margarine, instead of the more fattening
butter. Consequently, oat meal
contains soluble fiber, an ingredient that prevents the absorption of
cholesterol through the intestinal tract. Fiber, in general, is a
desirable ingredient in cholesterol lowering foods.
Another tip for choosing cholesterol lowering foods is to select food that contains healthy fats. Fish,
like salmon, trout, and albacore tuna, contains omega-3 fatty acids
that work wonders in reducing blood pressure. To get the highest levels
of omega-3 fatty acids, experts recommend baking or grilling fish, not
frying it. Avocados and olives
are two other types of food that lower cholesterol with healthy
unsaturated fats. Besides combating heart disease, they are also
effective in diabetes prevention.
Fruit should be a part of any balanced diet. Numerous types of fruit are capable of lowering cholesterol levels, but blueberries, pomegranates, and even apples
are tasty fruits that are also cholesterol lowering foods. Finally, an
important part of lowering cholesterol is avoiding foods that raise
cholesterol levels, in which case the health benefits of unfiltered coffee are suspect.
If you would like to discuss cholesterol lowering foods with others, please register and participate in the HealthyJet.com forum.