Top Five Food To Lower Cholesterol

By Suparna Chakaraborthy

Thursday, January 20, 2011, 16:35

Cholesterol is one of the important aspect of our healthy being but at the same time with excess concentration of cholesterol, you can be at risk of heart attack. High cholesterol can can also lead to blood clotting, thickening of the blood and many other serious illnesses. High Cholesterol is believed to be a disease for the people who ate fat but researchers have proved that sudden weight gain can also be the result of cholesterol concentration in the body.

Cholesterol is a substance which is present in the cell membrane of the body and assures production of bile and metabolism. When there is excessive concentration of the substance, it tends to build up on the artery walls and cause trouble. There are two types of cholesterol Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and High density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is the bad cholesterol which causes diseases and mainly leads to heart attack.

Food to lower cholesterol -

1.Oats – Oats are soluble fiber which is claimed to reduce the concentration of bad cholesterol in the body. The soluble fibers reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Doctors have declared that intake of 10 grams of oats in a day can lower LDL to a great extent. Other soluble fiber food items are beans, apples, pears etc.

2.Olive Oil – Olive Oil is a great antioxidant and is one of the best food to lowers cholesterol to a great extent. People who are high on cholesterol or have seen sudden increase in weight are advised to replace other fat products with olive oil. Doctors prefer the use of virgin Olive oil, as they are less processed and are available in their purest form. Olive oil is also good for functioning of the heart.

3.Fish – Fish are rich in Omega 3 fatty acid which cures one of the effects of cholesterol concentration in the blood stream. Omega 3 fatty acid is promotes healthy heart, cures blood clots and also promotes healthy blood vessels.

4.Mushroom – Mushroom is a widely well known food to lower cholesterol in Japan. Mushroom are rich source of Lentinan which helps to controlling bad cholesterol. It also enhances the immune system and thus prevents the body from diseases.

5.Garlic – Garlic contains a substance called allicin, which is a blood thinning agent. This agent makes garlic the best food to lower cholesterol. Research has proved that one clove of garlic in a day has lessened that concentration of bad cholesterol by 10-15%.

These are the top five food to lower cholesterol. Other tips to lower cholesterol is to avoid red meat and replace it with white meat, to avoid consumption of fatty food and carbohydrates.