Cholesterol reducing foods will keep you healthy and fit

Today, most people suffer from high cholesterol levels because of their hectic lifestyle. This is due to a rising trend in fast food consumption. Most of these foods lack nutritional value and are usually high in cholesterol. Consuming cholesterol reducing foods will not only keep you healthy, but it will also shield you against the risk of a heart attack, a stroke or coronary diseases.

Why a low cholesterol diet is essential for being healthy

Increase in LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol level can create blockage in the arteries in the form of cholesterol plaques. This obstruction affects the blood circulation drastically which leads to severe health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, coronary arterial disease, kidney and brain dysfunctioning, etc. The only solution to this dilemma is to reduce your cholesterol levels. Your physician might prescribe some cholesterol lowering medications, but you also need to control your dietary habits as well as exercise regularly.

It has been proven through various studies that the cholesterol level can be controlled through nutritious and low fat diet. Eating the right foods can lower the LDL or bad cholesterol levels and increase the HDL or good (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels. To maintain normal cholesterol levels naturally, your food should be rich in fiber, antioxidants, phytosterols and unsaturated fat. Fiber helps digestion and reduces bad cholesterol levels, antioxidants stop the transformation of cholesterol into bad ones and phytosterols prevent unwanted absorption of cholesterol.

Here are a few cholesterol reducing foods which can help you lower your cholesterol levels:

1. Vegetables Vegetables generally do not contain cholesterol or fat unless you use oil to prepare the dish. They are rich in vitamins, fiber, antioxidants and minerals, but how you consume it matters a lot. You can use them in soups or salads or season it with herbs for maximum benefit. Kidney beans, leafy vegetables, carrots, etc., are recommended.
2. Fruits Generally all fruits are free of fat with an exception of a few like coconuts, etc. They too are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Eating them raw can drop your cholesterol levels. Apples, pears, etc., are recommended.
3. Fish Fish has a very rich source of proteins and Omega 3 fatty acids. For beginners it has always proven to be a healthy diet because it lowers the LDL cholesterol and elevates the HDL cholesterol levels vastly. Sardines, trout, herring, salmon, etc., are highly recommended as cholesterol reducing foods.
4. Oats Oats is an excellent source of soluble fiber which reduces cholesterol levels quickly. Rice barn, soy and barley are other grains which are rich in soluble fiber.
5. Nuts Nuts like walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, etc., are extremely rich in antioxidants and fiber. They contain plant steroland fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) which help in lowering the LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
6. Garlic Garlic consumed raw or mixed with other foods can be used to eliminate or lower the blood clotting properties of your blood when the cholesterol level is too high.
7. Cinnamon This is an important spice used to reduce the blood sugar level, LDL cholesterol level and triglyceride levels. Generally it reduces and controls the entire cholesterol level of your body.

Some natural supplements like Cordyceps or Gugul or Garlic, added to cholesterol reducing foods, can give your health a bonus of a long lasting and disease free life.