Foods or Diet to Reduce Cholesterol Level

                                                                                         

The word 'cholesterol' derives from several Greek words: 'chole' (bile); 'stereos' (solid) and the chemical suffix '-ol' for an alcohol. It was first identified in solid form in gallstones in 1784, but is present in all animal tissue and to some extent in plant membrane too. It is not only ingested but also synthesised by the body. It plays a vital role in many biological processes, but is best known for its association with cardiovascular disease.

Maintaining a healthy, well balanced diet is the most important factor when trying to lower your cholesterol. The normal cholesterol levels for an adult is suggested to be between 140 and 200. If your cholesterol is over 200 there are several food that can work wonders in helping you to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol. Eating foods that are naturally high in fiber are a great place to start when trying to control cholesterol levels. Oatmeal and oat bran are examples of fiber rich foods to help lower bad cholesterol.

Another food which is responsible for lowering LDL is fish. All fatty fish are rich in omega 3 fats which are known to reduce the risk of blood clots, reduce blood pressure, and lower cholesterol. Lake trout, herring, mackerel, sardines, and salmon are some of the best fish to consume. It is best to bake or grill the fish in order to gain the most health benefits. Another way that people lower their cholesterol is through the consumption of whey protein shakes.

Whole-grain breads, pastries, oatmeal and oat bran provide the right bulk to help you get rid of unnecessary fats and lower your bad cholesterol levels. They also help you lose weight. You can also keep bad cholesterol levels down by eating regular servings of fruits and vegetables. As little as 1 to 2g servings of fiber-rich foods daily can help lower your bad cholesterol by at least 1%.

Seafood and Omega-3s - Omega-3 fatty acids are sorely missing in our modern diet and have been shown to help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels while raising "good" HDL cholesterol levels. Omega-3s are found primarily in seafood with salmon being one of the best sources. You can also find it in flax seed and in supplement form.

Include plenty of green vegetables in your diet because they are considered the healthiest food to lower cholesterol. Vegetables are high in dietary fiber, and full of dietary nutrients that help maintain a person's efficient metabolism. These are perfect cholesterol fighting food because they are low in calorie-content.

If you are looking for a good diet to control high cholesterol, you need to make absolutely sure that it includes foods naturally rich in soluble fiber. Foods like oatmeal, oat bran, apples, pears, and kidney beans which are excellent sources of soluble fiber not only lower bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein or LDL) but also increase the level of good cholesterol (high density lipoprotein or HDL).

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