The Battle Against Cholesterol: Your 5 Strongest Allies
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
The message being driven home by a multitude of companies is that ‘the oat’ is a powerful, cholesterol-kicking agent. Coming from the proud country of Scotland, the oat is a big part of the diet there. Brought over to America by immigrants, the oat is now a very popular food and remains true to its roots in the proud state of Vermont.
The key cholesterol-kicking ingredient in oats is its soluble fiber. The soluble fiber keeps much of the bad cholesterol, LDL from being absorbed into your intestines. Ultimately, this means that the soluble fiber keeps the cholesterol out of the blood stream and out of your arteries.
Oatmeal is not the only way to get your oats. Companies have added oats to cereal, bread and pasta thus giving you a wide variety of ways to consume your oats. Don’t be afraid to put more oats in your diet. They really are good for you.
*Garlic
This little bulb has been around and used for centuries. The bulb was nailed to doors and hung around necks to ward off vampires and other evil spirits. Some believe that eating the bulb can increase desire or the body’s chi. Garlic is also used heavily in Mediterranean and Chinese cooking, which is probably why you don’t hear much about Chinese vampires, lol.
Of course, the most frequently advertised property of garlic is its cholesterol & blood pressure lowering properties. Garlic is a natural antioxidant. It is thought that it helps prevent the LDLs from building up on the artery walls. Adding garlic as part of a healthy diet can help you lower cholesterol levels as well as help you fight the common cold.
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 some people to handle. In cooking, the overpowering nature 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 talk about garlic without mentioning its close relative, the onion. Even more widely used than garlic, it was frequently consumed in ancient times. One of its most stunning uses was that the onion was used to pay rent.
The onion is an important source of the nutrient chromium and B6 vitamins. Both nutrients are linked to controlling cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease. On top of its cholesterol controlling properties, the onion has other benefits including lowering the risk of cancer.
Fortunately, there are only two ways to eat an onion, raw or cooked. With such a wide variety of onions available, it is relatively easy to find a variety that appeases your taste buds. If you don’t like the sharp taste of stronger onions, try one of the sweet varieties or use it as seasoning in your food.
*Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil is another very potent toolin the war against high cholesterol. Produce mainly in Greece, Homer once stated that olive oil was liquid gold. The highly valued oil holds a high place for use in religious ceremonies. Perhaps its most unusual use was a mouthwash for bad breath.
Olive oil contains good fat or monounsaturated fat. These fats assist in your efforts to lower your cholesterol. Switching your high bad fats with these good fats is a simple way to keep those bad fats out of your system.
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 is one of the native plants of North and South America. The pretty yellow flowers open at night instead of during the day. Once it was known as Kings cureall, for its long list of unsubstantiated healing properties.
Primrose oil contains a high level of essential fatty acids. These fatty acids are known for lowering your cholesterol levels. Along with this, primrose oil can help treat eczema and even help relieve PMS symptoms.
Primrose oil is available in pill form as a dietary supplement. You can find it in grocery stores and drug stores.
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.