5 Foods to Stave Off Cholesterol

Fight the war on high LDL cholesterol levels with these natural foods. Knock down your cholesterol levels naturally. These powerful foods in conjunction with a healthy diet can easily help you win the war against high LDL cholesterol. High HDL cholesterol levels is good, since HDL helps to bring down LDL levels.

*Oats

Highly advertised on television as a powerful cholesterol-lowering agent, the oat is probably the most well-known of these foods. The oats have a deep history in Scotland, where it is the main staple of the Scottish diet. When the Scots settled in Vermont, they brought oats with them. This made Vermont the state that eats the most oats.

The property of oat that helps in the fight against cholesterol is its soluble fiber. Soluble fiber makes it harder for LDL cholesterol to be absorbed into the blood stream while food is digesting in your intestines. Thus there is less bad LDL cholesterol that makes it into the bloodstream and therefore less to stick to and harden inside the walls of your arteries.

Oats are found in a wide variety of foods such as oatmeal cookies, granola bars etc. Oatmeal is the most associated product with oats. If you don’t like oatmeal, many companies are now incorporating oats into cereals and bread. Don’t be afraid to add this powerful food to your arsenal.

*Garlic

Those white bulbs found in the grocery store are anything but new to the housewives cooking arsenal. Historically, it has been said that the smell has diverted many vampires and evil spirits. Villagers used to put them on their doors and hang them around their necks for protection. Used heavily in Chinese and Mediterranean dishes, it is probably the main reason why you don’t find any Chinese vampires - yes that was a joke.

The natural antioxidants in garlic are just part of the link that it is thought allows it to fight cholesterol. The thought is the antioxidants keep the LDL from sticking to arteries. Somehow Garlic also seems to have the ability to lower high blood pressure. Garlic when added to a healthy diet can also keep at check many flu and flu symptoms.

Garlic is available in many forms. It can be eaten raw. Although, it’s resulting tang on the tongue might be a little too much for most people to handle. In cooking, the strength of the smell and taste of garlic is diluted. This results in a more palatable concoction for most people. It can also be taken in powder or pill form as part of a supplement.

*Onions

It is hard to speak of garlic without mentioning its cousin, the onion. Even more widely used than the garlic, it was heavily consumed in ancient times. One of its most surprising purposes was that the onion was used to pay rent.

The onion is a source of chromium and B6 vitamins. Both sources are linked to lowering cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease. Along with its cholesterol lowering properties, the onion has other benefits including lowering the risk of cancer.

Unfortunately, there are only two ways to eat an onion, raw or cooked. Yet with such a wide variety of onions available, it is relatively easy to find a variety that goes well with your taste buds. If you don’t like the sharp taste of stronger onions, try the sweet variety.

*Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is another very strong tool in the war against high cholesterol. Produced mainly in Greece, Homer once stated that olive oil was liquid gold. The highly prized oil holds a high place for use in religious ceremonies. Perhaps its most shocking use was a mouthwash for bad breath.

Olive oil contains a high levels of monounsaturated fats. These fats help control your LDL cholesterol levels. By simply replacing your regular cooking oil, you can lower the amount of bad fats that you are consuming.

Olive oil is widely available and easily obtained. Many companies are jumping on the ‘health train’ and using olive oil in their salad dressings and mayonnaise. The pill version of olive oil is available to take as well.

*Primrose Oil

The primrose plant is where primrose oil originates from. The primrose thrives in North and South America and is widely available. Nicknamed the King’s cureall, the primrose was once thought to cure multiple aliments.

Primrose oil contains a high amount of essential fatty acids. These fatty acids contribute to lowering your cholesterol levels. Along with this, primrose oil can help treat eczema and even help relieve PMS symptoms.

Primose oil is available as a supplement. Usually found in pill form, it can be found in most grocery stores. Consult your doctor before taking any type of supplement. If your doctor disapproves of any kind of supplement, consider alternate medical advice and see a certified naturopath.

Lowering your cholesterol is up to you. Combined with a healthy diet, these powerful foods will help you conquer those life threatening high ldl levels. You can conquer your high LDL cholesterol with the right food decisions.