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What are Some Cholesterol Lowering Foods?

Kristen Williams
Kristen Williams

Cholesterol is a type of fat, or lipid, that is essential for life. Found naturally in the body, and in almost all the food we eat, cholesterol is the building block for vitamin D, hormones and cell walls. In addition, the body uses it to create bile salts to digest other fats.

Cholesterol combines with proteins, creating lipoproteins, to travel through the bloodstream. There are two type of cholesterol found in the body — low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, can build up in artery walls, which may lead to artery blockages, a contributing factor in heart attacks and strokes. HDL, or “good” cholesterol, is processed by the liver and sent out of the body. HDL also helps prevent arteries from becoming clogged.

Eating foods with soluble fiber, like oatmeal, can lower cholesterol.
Eating foods with soluble fiber, like oatmeal, can lower cholesterol.

The good news is that you can lower “bad” cholesterol and raise “good” cholesterol by adding cholesterol lowering foods to your diet. Heart healthy foods include those that are high in soluble fiber, anti-oxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. Sources of lean protein, like soy and dark leafy vegetables that are low in saturated fats are also recommended for cholesterol watchers.

Olive oil.
Olive oil.

Today, buying cholesterol lowering foods is easier now that packaging displays “no cholesterol” or “low cholesterol” labels. However, better than looking for low cholesterol signs is staying away from most packaged foods altogether. After all, fruits and vegetables are low in saturated fats, are non-processed and have no cholesterol.

To ensure that you are adding the different cholesterol lowering foods and nutrients to your diet, you should focus on a few main areas: soluble fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, olive oil, and plant sterols.

Prunes help lower LDL cholesterol.
Prunes help lower LDL cholesterol.

Soluble Fiber. Studies show that soluble fiber reduces LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, in your intestines. Foods high in soluble fiber include oatmeal, oat bran, brown rice, pinto beans, peas, carrots, apples, pears, strawberries, plums, barley and prunes. A breakfast full of cholesterol lower foods, for example, might include a serving of cooked oatmeal with cut apples or strawberries. Substituting brown rice, instead of white rice, for lunch or dinner is also a good cholesterol-minded idea.

Barley can help lower cholesterol.
Barley can help lower cholesterol.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Research shows that eating omega-3 fatty acids lowers “bad” cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce blood pressure and the risk of blood clots. Good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon. For non-fish eaters, omega-3 fatty acids can be found in canola oil or ground flaxseed, which is also a good source for fiber.

Almonds, which can help lower cholesterol.
Almonds, which can help lower cholesterol.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, found in walnuts and almonds, help reduce blood cholesterol and keep blood vessels healthy. Just remember, all nuts are high in calories so only eat a handful a day. Other cholesterol lowering foods in this group are hemp seed, sunflower seeds, bananas, and whole grain wheat.

Flavonoids. Studies suggest that foods high in flavonoids help to lower cholesterol by helping to prevent abnormal blood clots. Flavonoids, also known as bioflavonoids, are the nutrients that give plants their pigments. Foods high in flavonoids include dark chocolate; dark fruits like berries, apples, and red and purple grapes; citrus fruits; dark vegetables like kale and broccoli; herbs like parsley and thyme; hot peppers; black, green and white tea; and soy.

Bananas may help lower cholesterol.
Bananas may help lower cholesterol.

Olive Oil. Extra-virgin olive oil contains a mix of antioxidants that can lower bad cholesterol but leave good cholesterol untouched. Sauteeing vegetables in extra-virgin olive oil, or adding it to marinades and dressings is an easy way to include good oil in your diet. Using olive oil as a butter substitute when basting meat, is another good, cholesterol-minded suggestion.

Walnuts contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may help lower cholesterol.
Walnuts contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may help lower cholesterol.

Plant Sterols or Stanols. Sterols or stanols help block the absorption of cholesterol and in this way are good cholesterol lowering foods. Margarines, orange juice and yogurt drinks fortified with plant sterols or stanols are all types of foods with plan sterols.

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    • Eating foods with soluble fiber, like oatmeal, can lower cholesterol.
      Eating foods with soluble fiber, like oatmeal, can lower cholesterol.
    • Olive oil.
      Olive oil.
    • Prunes help lower LDL cholesterol.
      Prunes help lower LDL cholesterol.
    • Barley can help lower cholesterol.
      Barley can help lower cholesterol.
    • Almonds, which can help lower cholesterol.
      By: Elenathewise
      Almonds, which can help lower cholesterol.
    • Bananas may help lower cholesterol.
      By: Nikolai Sorokin
      Bananas may help lower cholesterol.
    • Walnuts contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may help lower cholesterol.
      By: mates
      Walnuts contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may help lower cholesterol.
    • Sunflower seeds are considered a cholesterol-lowering food.
      By: eyewave
      Sunflower seeds are considered a cholesterol-lowering food.
    • Pears are a cholesterol-lowering food.
      By: Lana Langlois
      Pears are a cholesterol-lowering food.
    • Kale can help lower cholesterol.
      By: silencefoto
      Kale can help lower cholesterol.
    • Eating fish can help lower bad cholesterol.
      By: Bill
      Eating fish can help lower bad cholesterol.
    • Parsley can help a person lower cholesterol naturally.
      By: Barbara Pheby
      Parsley can help a person lower cholesterol naturally.
    • Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
      By: dulsita
      Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
    • Albacore tuna is high in omega-3 fatty acids and may help lower cholesterol.
      By: Jaimie Duplass
      Albacore tuna is high in omega-3 fatty acids and may help lower cholesterol.
    • Sardines are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower "bad" cholesterol levels.
      By: nito
      Sardines are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower "bad" cholesterol levels.
    • Salad greens and strawberries are known to help lower cholesterol.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Salad greens and strawberries are known to help lower cholesterol.
    • Low levels of cholesterol indicate that blood can flow freely throughout the body.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      Low levels of cholesterol indicate that blood can flow freely throughout the body.
    • Strawberries are high in soluble fiber.
      By: Dmitriy Syechin
      Strawberries are high in soluble fiber.
    • High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for future heart attacks.
      By: Dan Kosmayer
      High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for future heart attacks.
    • Bananas are considered a cholesterol-lowering food.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Bananas are considered a cholesterol-lowering food.
    • Plums are high in soluble fiber.
      By: radomir54
      Plums are high in soluble fiber.
    • Widely viewed as one of the healthiest types of cooking oil, canola oil is high in monounsaturated fats.
      By: branex
      Widely viewed as one of the healthiest types of cooking oil, canola oil is high in monounsaturated fats.