What you eat is what you are. If your diet can give you high cholesterol, it can lower it, too. But taking heart healthy foods to decrease your bad cholesterol levels will guarantee you a healthy heart.
A diet rich in protein, antioxidants and fiber, along with decreased high-fat and high-carbohydrate food will is ideal to keep cholesterol levels under control.
High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) can trigger several health problems especially related to heart so, it is very important to control the rising bad cholesterol levels in the body. Fried and fatty foods increase LDL levels in the body. If not controlled, this can block blood circulation in the heart and lead to stroke. You can lower your bad cholesterol levels by adding these foods in your diet.
Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which binds cholesterol and its precursors in the digestive system. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day is recommended. Including 1 1/2 cups of cooked oatmeal in your diet provides 6 grams of soluble fiber.
Nuts are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids which reduces bad cholesterol and keep blood vessels healthy. Since nuts are high in calories, use in moderate amounts. Eating a handful of almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts or walnuts, may reduce your risk of heart disease.
This is one f the foods that reduces bad cholesterol levels. Nutrients and fiber rich low fat whole grains decreases LDL levels. Choose whole-grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat flour and brown rice.
The incredible antioxidant, Vitamin C present in gooseberry helps in maintaining high HDL and decreased LDL. Other Vitamin C rich foods that can lower cholesterol are lemon, guava and coriander leaves.
Green tea plays an important role in cholesterol management. It contains antioxidants which help in managing cholesterol and triglycerides that affect the body.
Ginger is popularly used as a remedy to lowering bad cholesterol levels. It also helps in thinning the blood, thus lowering the risk of heart diseases. Regular use of ginger helps in prevention of heart diseases.
The high concentration of allicin (sulfur-containing compound) and antioxidants keeps away individual cholesterol particles from sticking to artery walls. It also lowers the clotting properties of blood. Garlic can be consumed raw, in capsules or as a dry powder.
Olive oil is rich in polyphenols. It also has oleic acid, the most common monounsaturated fatty acid found in the diet which decreases LDL cholesterol.
Combination of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and beta-sitosterol makes it an excellent fruit to decrease LDL levels.