Can Certain Foods Lower Your Cholesterol Level?

Did you know that there are cholesterol lowering foods? Are you one of those people who have high cholesterol? Are you concerned that you may not be eating a well balanced diet? You may want to consider changing your lifestyle because any overall improvements will help improve your health. Experts recommend that you eat a diet which is high in fiber, fish oils and garlic. These are some food suggestions in your diet for a better cholesterol level.

Soy products

Soy protein or isoflavones are effective as a cholesterol lowering foods. The recommended daily intake is one to two ounces, or 25 grams, of soy will help you lower your bad cholesterol level by about 8% -10%. If you have a high cholesterol level which is about 260-300 mg/dl, by changing your diet with soy products will help lower your cholesterol level by 15-20%. You may want to consider eating some of these Soy products which include: beans, soy milk, flour and tofu. You also may want to consider soy drinks and protein bars that contain 10 to 20 grams of soy protein.

Fiber Sources – Fruits, Vegetables and Others

Foods that are rich in fiber are considered as cholesterol lowering foods. Fiber is not easily digested. The extra cholesterol will combine with the fiber and down to the drain. The best fruits to eat are berries, oranges, apples, honey dew melon and cantaloupe. Grapefruit are rich in fiber too. The best vegetables to eat are carrots, cabbage, beets, spinach, broccoli and peas. These are all great sources of fiber. Oats contain a soluble fiber call Glucan which plays a critical role in lowering cholesterol. Whole grains are cholesterol lowering foods because over-processed ones such as white bread are stripped of their fiber content.

Fish

Fish contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which decrease the chances of getting blood clots. Fish is a good source of cholesterol lowering foods because they help you achieve a level of good cholesterol. They also help prevent blood clotting which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Garlic

Studies have shown that garlic can be a cholesterol lowering foods. You may want to consider taking odourless coated garlic tablets which will give you the same effect. Modern medical science suggests the anti-oxidant property of garlic might help to prevent LDLs from being oxidised. Hence, the clog in arteries built up by cholesterol could be reduced, which effectively lowering the cholesterol level.

You may want to start with looking at cholesterol lowering foods as a part of a healthy regimen to improve your cholesterol level. Exercise is considered another key life style change to battle cholesterol. But you need to do both. If you are already in a high cholesterol level, you need to start eating cholesterol lowering drugs and healthy food as suggested above, together with exercise in your daily routine. It is best to maintain a healthy routine until your next visit with your doctor to see if there is any improvement.

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