You have probably heard that our diet is among the most critical factors to our health and cardiovascular system. Cholesterol is a compound that lines the inner walls of blood vessels and gradually reduces the space in which blood can pass. We know this process by the name “blood pressure”. Consequences of high blood pressure are cardiovascular diseases and a real danger of heart attack. High blood pressure results due to other factors, but there is no doubt that cholesterol is the main one.
You can read more about
how to reduce high blood pressure naturally in the post I’ve written in the past.
To improve your blood cholesterol levels and to lower cholesterol naturally, there are some simple but vital habits that should be adhered to. Here are tips to bring your cholesterol to the right level:
1. Read beyond the label ‘low-fat’Even foods claiming to be low in fat can contribute significantly to your cholesterol levels. Many times the wording on the labels refer to the amount for a portion, or for 100 grams or for a pack. But if for example you need to consume 300 grams of this food to feel satisfied, you need to re-examine the meaning of ‘low-fat. At the bottom line, don’t let slogans fool you – check the nutritional values in numbers.
2. Eat lots of fiber Studies have found that increased consumption of soluble fiber, like the one found in fruits and vegetables, by 5 to 10 grams a day, can lead to a decrease of 5% in the level of cholesterol in the blood. 5 to 10 grams is just to add a fruit or a vegetable a day – not a great effort with but with a great benefit.
3. Eat eggs in moderation The recommended daily consumption of cholesterol is 300 mg for healthy people. A single egg contains about 213 mg cholesterol, which leaves almost another available 90 mg. This means you can eat eggs, but you need to plan the rest of your meals accordingly. For example, on days when you eat eggs, reduce cholesterol consumption from other sources.
4. Start the morning the right way Instead of the usual cereal, prefer to start the day with oatmeal or bran. It is common to claim that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so you have to give it its proper place. One cup of oatmeal or bran has about 2 grams of soluble fiber and 4 grams of fiber in total. Add pieces of fruit for a sweet taste and your anti-cholesterol breakfast is ready. With a nice amount of soluble fiber, your cholesterol level will remain low.
5. Try to avoid saturated fat You have probably heard about the great damage of saturated fat that increases the level of cholesterol in your blood.
The American Heart Association recommends to limit the amount of saturated fats you eat to less than 7% of your total daily calories. That means, for example, that if you need about 2,000 calories a day, then maximum 140 of them should come from saturated fats. That’s about 16 grams of saturated fats a day. Common foods that contain saturated fat come mainly from animal sources, for example: butter, fatty beef, lamb or pork, poultry with skin, lard and cream. Also pastries and many baked and fried foods can contain high levels of saturated fats. Some plant foods, such as palm oil and coconut oil also contain saturated fats, but don’t contain cholesterol.
6. Know the sources of trans-fat Trans-fat exists naturally in meat and dairy products and can be created by a chemical process that converts normal fat to trans-fat. Trans-fat is considered one of the worst industrial fats in general, and one of the main culprits of high cholesterol. Be sure to know the foods you consume and their trans-fat content. Try to remove it from your menu or at least minimize its consumption. Foods containing trans-fat are various pastries containing margarine, but you can check the amount of trans-fat on all food items, as manufacturers are committed by law to report the amounts of fat.
7. Eat Fish Meat is an essential part of many people’s diet, but it should not be exclusive. Beef is rich in fats that raise cholesterol, while fish, such as salmon and tuna, for example, are rich in omega -3 that actually helps lower cholesterol. Therefore, it is recommended to add fish to your weekly menu twice or three times at the expense of meat. It will also diversify your nutrition and help you fight cholesterol.
8. Consume the right fats As we know, not all fats increase cholesterol and there are fats that help to prevent its damage and raise the good cholesterol (HDL). Foods such as olive oil, avocado, fish, flaxseed, and nuts contain essential fat to our health such as omega-3. This fatty acid acts, among other things, to lower the amount of triglycerides in the blood and reduces cholesterol. Eat these foods at the expense of foods rich in fats that contribute to bad cholesterol (LDL), and thus you will earn double advantage. Find here more information about
the amazing health benefits of onega-3.
9. Tropical oils Palm oil and coconut oil received a good reputation in recent years since they plant oils, and indeed I’ve written in the past about
the many health benefits of coconut oil. However, it was found that palm oil, for example, has 80% saturated fat. The World Health Organization as well as health organizations of countries like USA, Canada and The UK, began to recommend to significantly reduce the consumption of coconut oil due to the high levels of saturated fat in it. So although coconut oil has indeed several health benefits and is a good substitute for margarine for example, you still need to consume it in moderation.
10. Recommended foods The above tips give some examples of foods that you may want to avoid or reduce their consumption, but here you will find some foods that can contribute to good cholesterol levels (HDL) and lower the bad cholesterol (LDL):
Almonds – the almond skin contains compounds that prevent the oxidation of LDL molecules thereby preventing damage to the blood vessel wall.
Avocado – this tasty fruit is rich in monounsaturated fat, and is also found to increase the good cholesterol and lower the bad cholesterol, especially in people with high cholesterol levels.
Barley – a study of the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that adding barley to your diet can lower by up to twice the LDL levels.
Beans and lentils - another U.S. study found that adding lentils and beans to a diet low in fat enhanced twice its effectiveness.
Blueberries – blueberries contain a very powerful antioxidant that can prevent the damage caused by bad cholesterol. To learn more about the amazing healing properties of blueberries, as well as other berries, have a look at my e-book
The Healing Berry Guide. This e-book will teach you how to transform your health with berries.
Oatmeal – a research conducted at the University of Toronto in Canada found that women who added oatmeal to a heart-healthy diet, increased by 11% the levels of good cholesterol in the body.
Alcohol (in moderation) – According to
WebMD website, a few studies have found that people who drink alcohol in moderation have lower rates of heart disease, and might even live longer than those who don’t consume alcohol. In particular, red wine may offer the greatest benefit for lowering heart disease risk because it contains higher levels of natural plant chemicals, such as resveratrol, which have antioxidant properties and might protect artery walls. Many believe that the main cardiovascular benefit of alcohol is derived through its ability to raise HDL cholesterol levels. The research evidence points to ethanol, or the alcohol component, of beer, wine, or spirits as the substance that can help lower bad cholesterol levels and increase the good cholesterol. WebMD
recommends to choose whichever alcoholic beverage you enjoy, drink it in moderation and try to have it with meals. Please note – it is important to emphasize here the issue of dosage, and if you have any doubt, consult a nutritionist / doctor.
These tips are designed to adapt ourselves to a few more habits for improving our health, and as you can see, they don’t require a special effort. It is also advised to start to perform routine cholesterol tests and follow ups from the age of 30. In case of a medical problem, be sure to consult your doctor and adhere to his/her guidelines.
To further maintain your heart in a top condition, you may also be interested to read my article about the best foods to prevent clogged arteries:
Bob Hoskins -- perhaps best known for his role opposite a bunch of cartoons in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" -- died on Wednesday. He was 71.
