Foods good for lowering cholesterol are commonly found on the grocer’s shelf and in many people’s kitchens. Strategically adding these products to a person’s diet, however, is the key to affecting cholesterol levels in order to avoid heart disease. Food to lower cholesterol can be ingested that has been proven to help raise HDL and lower LDL levels. Doctors believe that both eating habits and genetics are responsible for the number of Americans that are at risk for a stroke or heart attack. There are several things that can be done from a practical point of view that may protect against this disease or minimize its severity.
Understanding the relationship between diet and heart disease is very important in developing a plan to lower the health risks. Even though many people have a higher natural risk for the disease that is associated with heredity, a health diet that includes food to lower cholesterol can lower the risks dramatically. For those who are already dealing with some form of heart disease, the right diet can also lower further damage while strengthening the body in the aftermath of a stroke or heart attack. Targeting LDL is the main issue in dietary management and should be an important consideration in anyone’s diet whether a child or adult. “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)
There are some natural herbs and foods good for lowering cholesterol that have been proven to lower LDL levels when added to a normal diet. Items such as soy, fish, tea, oats, peas, and olive oil have been shown to lower levels and provide protection from heart disease. Additions of products like these as well as omissions of other offending products can significantly help anyone lower risks even as a young person. Eating items that contain high saturated fats such as fried foods, red meats and dairy products are a danger to those who risk heart disease. Omitting these offenders can help to cut down on plaque buildup in arteries. A combined dietary strategy is the best way to see results in any plan to lower health risks associated with hearth disease.
Many times replacing offending dietary items with food to lower cholesterol is an easy way to structure an eating plan. Replacing red meat with fish in a normal diet is one simple way to receive the benefits of fish oil that is proven to lower the risk for heart disease. At the same time, removing red meats such as beef and pork add a one-two punch to this strategy by taking away artery-clogging offenders while adding important oils that further lower cholesterol. It is recommended that fish should be eaten at least two times a week in order to receive the full benefits associated with fish oil. Fish such as sardines and salmon are a good source to choose from as well as other fish that are taken from cold water environments.
Sea foods such as shrimp and lobster on the other hand, are not foods good for lowering cholesterol since they add to the problem. Fish oil can also be purchased at health speciality stores for those who wish to make sure that they receive a proper, daily intake of this helpful source. Another item that is highly advertised and that lives up to its claims through many scientifically documented tests is oatmeal or oat bran. Those who eat a large bowl of oatmeal every day can be assured that it is sweeping the digestive tract of cholesterol. For those who do not prefer to eat a large bowl for breakfast, the addition of 2/3 cups a day to any menu will add significant benefits no matter how it is consumed. It can be added by sprinkling on the top of baked selections, in cookies or in casseroles. The healthful properties found in oats are proven in over 20+ scientific tests and it continues as one of the foremost healthful foods in the American diet.
Another food to lower cholesterol is red yeast rice that is found in most health food stores and herb shops around the country. Chinese red yeast rice has been found to offer high benefits and competes with doctor prescribed statin medicines that are used by patients to retard plaque build up in arteries. It is easy to take and can be purchased in capsule form at most health food stores. Some have seen as much as a 40% reduction in overall cholesterol levels after taking red yeast rice without having to rely on prescribed medications. Taking red yeast rice before LDL levels reach dangerous proportions is best in order to avoid taking prescribed medications although adding it at anytime is helpful.
Herbal tea is also among the natural foods good for lowering cholesterol that has become quite popular. Green tea, oolong tea and other teas can restrict the damage of cholesterol in the body and is recommended as an addition to almost anyone’s diet. A wide selection of teas that are known to have beneficial properties to anyone’s diet can be found in health food stores, grocery stores and specialty shops. For those who have not thought about the simple ways to protect themselves from heart disease by controlling their food intake, diet planning can be a low management way to combat the ever increasing number of heart patients. More information regarding menu planning can be found among many online sources that provide free tips on cholesterol avoidance and management.