Donna Byrd-SHWRT

Changing what foods, you eat can lower your cholesterol and improve the armada of fats floating through your bloodstream. Adding foods that lower LDL, the harmful cholesterol-carrying particle that contributes to artery-clogging atherosclerosis, is the best way to achieve a low-cholesterol diet.

Different foods lower cholesterol in various ways. Some deliver soluble fiber, which binds cholesterol and its precursors in the digestive system and drags them out of the body before they get into circulation. Some give you polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL. And some contain plant sterols and stanols, which block the body from absorbing cholesterol.

There are several natural ways to help reduce cholesterol levels. Here are some effective options:

1. Oats: Starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol due to its high soluble fiber content.
2. Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts are good for the heart and can slightly lower LDL cholesterol.
3. Fruits: Apples, grapes, strawberries, and citrus fruits are rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that helps lower LDL.
4. Vegetable Oils: Using oils like canola, sunflower, and safflower instead of butter or lard can help reduce LDL levels.
5. Beans: Beans are rich in soluble fiber and take longer to digest, helping you feel full longer and reducing cholesterol absorption.
6. Soy: Foods made from soybeans, like tofu and soy milk, can help lower cholesterol.
7. Garlic: Regular consumption of garlic has been shown to lower cholesterol levels.
8. Psyllium: This fiber supplement can be taken in pill form or mixed into drinks and has been shown to significantly reduce cholesterol.
9. Red Yeast Rice: This supplement contains compounds that can help lower cholesterol.

Incorporating these foods and supplements into your diet, along with regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle, can help manage cholesterol levels naturally.

Do you have any other health-related questions or need tips on incorporating these foods into your diet?