LDL cholesterol is a frequently talked subject in many social events as well as heath community gatherings. As a result there is lot of awareness about cholesterol and its effects on our body. This has happened because of increase in many heart related ailments due to raised level of LDL cholesterol, especially coronary artery disease.
Cholesterol is not bad as we think; in fact it supports the body cells to function normally. Our body gets part of cholesterol from the food we eat and partly it is synthesized by liver. Cholesterol is unable to mix in the blood.
LDL is low density lipoprotein, because it is less dense compared to other lipoproteins. High LDL level is considered bad cholesterol because it narrows the arteries (atherosclerosis) and leads to plaque formation, which eventually causes heart attack or cerebral stroke.
Foods That Lower LDL Levels
Certain foods can lower LDL levels:
- Fish: omega 3 fatty acids present in fish are useful in reducing the bad cholesterol namely LDL.
- Oats: eating oats daily have resulted in lowering the LDL level in the circulating blood.Nearly 5 % of LDL cholesterol is lowered by eating oats regularly for two months. Beta glucan present in oats absorbs the bad cholesterol and eliminates it form the body.
- Nuts such as walnuts, almonds and cashew nuts lower LDL cholesterol considerably when eaten regularly.
- Beans of various varieties such as kidney beans, black beans etc reduce cholesterol level as well as LDL cholesterol when consumed regularly.
- Garlic: garlic reduces the risk of forming blood clots in the artery, it keeps the blood thin and it also acts as an inflammatory agent. These natural characteristic of garlic helps to reduce the risk of plaque formation in the arteries.
Natural Ways To Lower LDL Cholesterol
- Drinking black tea or green tea is effective in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease. It happens due to reduction of LDL cholesterol in blood.
- Cook in olive oil. It is made up of mono saturated fats which help to lower LDL cholesterol level.
- Losing weight is a natural way to lower LDL. If you are obese and you are suffering from raised LDL level, one of the ways is to lose those extra pounds to lower the LDL level.
- Performing regular exercise helps to lower LDL naturally. Walking for 30 minutes, cycling, or jogging etc, are best exercises that a person can do.
- Another way to lower LDL is to avoid eating food that contains saturated fats. Such foods are, butter, cream, beef, lamb, palm oil, coconut oil, etc.
- Related Topics
- Natural Ways To Reduce Cholesterol: How To Lower Cholesterol Level
- Foods That Lower Blood Pressure: Natural Foods List To Lower BP
- Ways to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally: Natural ways to reduce BP
- Women Cholesterol Check: Contraceptive Pills and Cholesterol Levels
- Cholesterol Test Preparation: How To Measure Cholesterol Levels
