Monday, May 9, 2011

Foods That Lower Cholesterol Can Help Protect Your Heart

If your body is dealing with high cholesterol and the foods you eat cause this health hazard, then reverse the condition by eating foods that lower cholesterol. These foods will also decrease the amount of fats that have accumulated in the blood stream. There is a two-prong attack needed to clear the problem.

Dietary items that lower LDL - the harmful cholesterol substance - in the system must be increased; and those that increase LDL must be decreased in intake. Without this dual approach, the results will be neutral in the attempt to make the adjustment to improve heart health.

Foods that lower cholesterol attack the problem in three different ways. One group provides soluble fiber. These fibers attach to the cholesterol cells and remove them before they get into the circulatory system. Others provide the polyunsaturated fats that directly attack these cells to lower your cholesterol readings. The third group of these health problem fighters block the body's ability to absorb cholesterol. 

Foods that fall into the group that provide the fiber are oatmeal and cold oat-based cereals such as Cheerios. When eaten for breakfast, these foods start the day off with 1 to 2 grams of soluble fiber. Including a banana or some strawberries adds another half gram. Nutrition tables recommend 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day including 5 to 10 grams of soluble fiber. Foods that contain this nutrient include barley and other whole grains, along with beans, eggplant, okra, nuts, apples, grapes, and citrus fruits. Nuts contain other nutrients as well that add to heart health.  Also substituting different vegetable oils for butter in various recipes decreases LDL. 

There are nutrients called sterols and stanols that prevent the body's ability to absorb cholesterol. These nutrients are being added to margarine, granola bars, orange juice, and chocolate by food companies. Sterols and stanols can also be purchased independently as supplements.

Other dietary foods that lower cholesterol are soy and soy based items such as tofu and soy milk. These are modestly beneficial in aiding the body with helpful adjustments to bad cholesterol. Also in this group of foods are fatty fish. This fish delivers omega-3s that reduce triglycerides in the blood stream. Focusing on just one or two of these dietary foods is not the best approach to effectively accomplish the goal of LDL reduction. It is much better to include a combination of them in the daily diet. There may be some adjustment needed to get used to different textures and flavors when you include new foods in the diet. However, the benefits of lower blood pressure and a healthier heart are well worth the sacrifice.




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