5 Best Foods For Reducing Cholesterol Levels

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by: StaffatStephanieHuckabee
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Fight the war on high LDL cholesterol levels with these natural foods. Knock down your cholesterol levels naturally. These powerful foods in conjunction with a healthy diet can easily help you win the war against high LDL cholesterol. High HDL cholesterol levels is good, since HDL helps to bring down LDL levels.

*Oats

Highly advertised on television as a powerful cholesterol-lowering agent, the oat is probably the most well-known of these foods. The oats have a deep history in Scotland, where it is the main staple of the Scottish diet. When the Scots settled in Vermont, they brought oats with them. This made Vermont the state that eats the most oats.

The property of oat that helps in the fight against cholesterol is its soluble fiber. Soluble fiber makes it harder for LDL cholesterol to be absorbed in your intestines. Thus there is less externally created cholesterol floating around in your bloodstream. Too much LDL cholesterol can cause some of it to stick and accumulate on your arteries.

Oatmeal is not the only way to get your oats. Companies have added oats to cereal, bread and pasta thus giving you a wide variety of ways to consume your oats. Don't be afraid to put more oats in your diet. They really are good for you.

*Garlic

Those white bulbs found in the grocery store are anything but new to the housewives cooking arsenal. Historically, it has been said that the smell has diverted many vampires and evil spirits. Villagers used to put them on their doors and hang them around their necks for protection. Used heavily in Chinese and Mediterranean dishes, it is probably the main reason why you don't find any Chinese vampires - yes that was a joke.

Of course, the most frequently advertised property of garlic is its cholesterol & blood pressure lowering properties. Garlic is a natural antioxidant. It is thought that it helps prevent the LDLs from building up on the artery walls. Adding garlic as part of a healthy diet can help you lower cholesterol levels as well as help you fight the common cold.

Garlic is available in many forms. You can eat it raw. Although, its resulting odor maybe more than some can handle. In cooking, the potency of the smell and taste of garlic is diluted, resulting in a more palatable concoction for most people. It can also be taken in powder or pill form as part of a supplement. One of the main known active ingredients is Allicen so ensure that processed garlic pills still have this ingredient.

*Onions

It is hard to talk about garlic without mentioning its cousin, the onion. Even more widely used than the garlic, it was heavily consumed in ancient times. One of its most surprising purposes was that the onion was used to pay rent.

The chromium and B6 vitamins found in the onion are thought to be the cholesterol fighters in this popular food. They are linked to improving cholesterol levels and helping in the fight against heart disease. The onion is also known to help lower the risk of cancer.

Unfortunately, there are only two ways to eat an onion, raw or cooked. Yet with such a wide variety of onions available, it should be relatively easy to find a variety that best suits your taste buds. If you don't like the sharp taste of stronger onions, try the sweet variety.

*Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is another extremely potent tool in the war against high cholesterol. Produced mainly in Greece, Homer once stated that olive oil was liquid gold. The highly valued oil holds a high place for use in religious ceremonies. Perhaps its most unusual use was a mouthwash for bad breath.

Olive oil contains a high levels of monounsaturated fats. These fats help control your LDL cholesterol levels. By simply replacing your regular cooking oil, you can lower the amount of bad fats that you are consuming.

Olive oil can be bought in any supermarket as cooking oil. Many Companies are adding this cholesterol-lowering oil to salad dressings and using it in the fabrication of mayonnaise. The pill version of olive oil is available to take as well.

*Primrose Oil

The primrose plant is where primrose oil originates from. The primrose thrives in North and South America and is widely available. Nicknamed the King's cureall, the primrose was once thought to cure multiple aliments.

Primrose oil contains a high level of essential fatty acids. These fatty acids work towards reducing your cholesterol levels. Along with this, primrose oil can help treat eczema and even help relieve PMS symptoms.

Primrose oil is available as a supplement. Frequently found in pill form, it can be bought in most grocery stores. If you are on existing medication or have a known heart or cardio related ailment, it is wise to consult your doctor before taking any type of supplement. If your doctor disapproves of any kind of supplement, consider alternate medical advice and see a certified naturopath.

Lowering your cholesterol is up to you. Combined with a healthy diet, these powerful foods will help you conquer those life threatening high ldl levels. You can conquer your high LDL cholesterol with the right food decisions.

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