Lowering your cholesterol is an important step toward reducing your risk of heart disease. In fact, it could be the most important step! The risk of heart attack and stroke is directly attributable to high cholesterol levels so the sensible, the vital, thing to do is lower your cholesterol in as many ways as possible.

Lowering cholesterol through diet is one sure way to get a better balance between your LDL cholesterol and your HDL cholesterol. (LDL being the “bad guy” and HDL being the “good guy”).

Here are some healthy diet alternatives that will help you lower your cholesterol significantly if followed regularly.

Breads and Cereals: Healthier bread contains whole grains and not too much sodium. Whole grains are not just richer in vitamins, minerals and fiber. In addition, they contain phytochemicals that may help cut the risk of heart disease and cancer.

• Use Whole grain breads

• Pasta

• Hominy grits

• Rice

Fish: Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower triglycerides, which are a type of fat in the bloodstream. Experts aren’t sure of the exact mechanism. Omega-3 fatty acids may also slow down the growth of plaques in the arteries and reduce inflammation throughout the body.

• Salmon

• Tuna

• Trout

• Herring

• Sardines

• Mackerel

Beans: Beans can lower your cholesterol as well. The reason these high fiber legumes are so effective is because they contain pectin. The more of these beans that you can eat, the greater the benefits.

• Lima beans

• Kidney beans

• Navy beans

• Soy beans

Oils: Know which oils are good for you and which are bad. The following oils are the good ones – try to stick with them for lowering your cholesterol.

• Canola oil

• Olive oil

• Grapeseed oil

• Flax seed oil

Chocolate: DARK chocolate can actually help reduce your cholesterol level. This is good for the chocolate lovers around the world, but remember that milk chocolate contains lots of fats and is NOT good for you!

Nuts: Some nuts are especially good at helping you to cut your LDL cholesterol and raising your HDL level. A perfect “balancing” food. Some of the better nuts are:

• Almonds

• Walnuts

• Hazelnuts

• Pistachios

These are just a few of the more common food/food groups that, if eaten regularly, can help you to lower your cholesterol level naturally.

Demystifying Cholesterol delves into many more possibilities that can help you to significantly lower your cholesterol in 30 days. Impress your doctor!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/lowering-your-cholesterol-through-simple-food-choices-977733.html

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