The Nation's Health

Health Tips: Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

No one wants cholesterol to be too high. Puts arteries and the heart under great pressure. Your heart has to work twice as hard to keep blood pumping as it's supposed to. So I have some suggestions of natural foods that naturally lowers cholesterol.

Read: What is Cholesterol

Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Natural Ways to Lower CholesterolOther people are reading: Cause of High Cholesterol

Some changes to your diet can make a great change to your (LDL) cholesterol levels. Which is called the bad cholesterol And can improve (HDL) cholesterol that is called the good cholesterol.

Oats. Changing to oats in the morning lowers LDL cholesterol levels by 5% in just six weeks. Because oats contains beta-glucan that absorbs LDL cholesterol, then it is removed from the body.

Salmon and fish that is fatty. Omega three fatty acids is a true natural wonder for the body. It prevents heart disease and other serious illnesses. It raises good cholesterol (HDL) about 4%. Fish such as salmon, sardines and herring.

Nuts.

Walnuts, almonds and cashew nuts lowers cholesterol naturally. In a study done people who had about 1.5 ounces of whole walnuts 6 days a week for 1 month lowered their total cholesterol by 5.4% and LDL cholesterol by 9.3%. But do remember nuts are high in calories. So portion control is advised. A shot glass and a half is advised for daily portion control.

Tea. Tea is known for its high antioxidants. But did you know that uts a great defense against bad (LDL) cholesterol? In a recent study it was proved that black tea seem to have reduced blood lipids to about 10% in a three week period. So it was concluded that it decreases the risk of coronary heart disease.

Beans. In a study researchers said that by adding half a cup of beans to soup. You will lower cholesterol by about 8%. The secret? The high fibre which is abundant in beans such as pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans.

Olive oil. This isnt just an ordinary oil. It may be viewed as expensive by many. But the health benefits makes it worth it. It is full of mono unsaturated fatty acids that lowers cholesterol. In the process it may even reduce belly fat.

Avocado. Many may know that avocado has fats. But it has good fats. It may raise HDL (good) cholesterol and lower bad (LDL) cholesterol. Another benefit of avocado is that reduce the amount of cholesterol that gets absorbed into the body. Please remember that it is high in calories. So it us advised to use moderate portions.

Spinach. Recent studies has concluded that half a cup of spinach help to avoid heart attacks. Which in turn protect the artery walls from being clogged. It contains gluten which already is known to be of benefit to guarding against age-related muscular degeneration.

Chocolate. This treat that is so sweet isnt just for the taste buds. But is also a powerful antioxidant. It helps to build the good cholesterol (HDL) In a study it was seen to increase HDL cholesterol to 24% in a twelve week period. But please note the dark bittersweet is higher in antioxidants than the normal milk chocolate.

Also See: Lower Cholesterol Naturally

Margarine. When changing to a margarine that is high in plant sterols could lower cholesterol. Plant sterols lowers cholesterol that gets absorbed into the body. Consider margarine such as Activ, Promis or Benecol.

Garlic. Garlic prevents clogging of the arteries. Reduce blood pressure and even prevent infections. Now it is seen that it stops the clogging of arteries even in the earliest stages. Consider two to four cloves daily.

These are just a few foods that helps to lower cholesterol naturally. Please keep in mind that life style changes is just as important to lower cholesterol. If you do suffer from high cholesterol please see your doctor or physician

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