These 6 Foods Can Knock Out High Cholesterol

With the release of new treatment guidelines, high cholesterol is a very hot topic right now. This is a common condition which affects more than 70 million adults in this country alone. To make matters more difficult, this is a condition which doesn’t produce many noticeable symptoms— meaning many people who have high cholesterol are completely unaware of it.

So why is high cholesterol such a big issue? This condition leads to a variety of life-threatening diseases such as:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure

Clinical research has also identified several risk factors which make people more likely to develop high cholesterol. These include:

• Your family medical history
• Your diet
• How often you exercise
• Your body mass index (BMI)

While all of these are very important when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart, we are going to be focusing on the diet portion of this equation. Did you know that there are several foods which are scientifically proven to help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol?

1) Fish Oil

 

Fish oil is a great source omega-3 fatty acids, and the American Heart Association recommends getting at least two servings of fish oil a day. The omega 3 is great for your heart and your memory. There are also plenty of supplements you can take which will provide you with the recommended daily serving.

(Quick Fact: Studies have shown that fish oil can provide a lot of benefit for people who have a preexisting coronary heart condition.)

2) Strawberries

This brightly colored fruit is certainly a crowd favorite and for good reason! Scientists have discovered that the antioxidants in strawberries help lower bad cholesterol. During a recent high cholesterol clinical trial at Università Politecnica delle Marche, researchers showed how eating strawberries could lower total LDL cholesterol levels without disrupting HDL “good” cholesterol levels.

3) Fenugreek

This food is used in a variety of Indian cuisine, and its available in several different forms. A recent CNN Health report analyzed several studies on the consumption of fenugreek from the 1990s. It showed how this food can significantly lower bad cholesterol over time.

4) Tree Nuts

A tree nuts was designed by nature to be a cholesterol fighting machine. These things are naturally low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated fatty acids. Research has shown us that unsaturated fat sources are particularly good at lowering LDL cholesterol. Tree nuts themselves can reduce cholesterol by as much as 19 percent. The term tree nut can refer to:

• Chestnuts
• Almonds
• Cashews
• Pistachios
• Pecans
• Walnuts

5) Turmeric

Here’s another type of food that you might not be familiar with. Turmeric is an orange spice that’s used in many South Asian dishes to add color. However, several studies have shown that this spice is capable of much more.

Scientists at the University of Michigan found that turmeric extract was able to both lower cholesterol and prevent plaque buildup in the arteries. The spice prohibits the platelets from sticking together.

6) Onions

During a high cholesterol clinical trial at the Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Service discovered something shocking in participants who ate at least one half a raw onion each day. These participants had a 30 percent boost in their HDL cholesterol levels. There are also several other benefits to digging into a raw onion, including:

• Improves blood circulation
• Prevents blood clots
• Lowers blood pressure

These six wonder foods can help improve your cholesterol and fortify your long-term heart health. If you are worried about your cholesterol, then you know have six new items to add to your grocery list.