Food For Low cholesterol
1) Olive oil
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. Research has shown that foods with a high monounsaturated fatty acid content lower "bad" low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol and increase 'good' high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Anyone with raised cholesterol levels needs to increase his HDL and lower his LDL levels, which olive oil and products made of olives, will promote.
Have one or two tablespoons of olive oil a day over salads or use for cooking, and add some olives to your salads. Keep an eye open for margarine made from olive oil as this also has the benefit of a high monounsaturated fatty acid content.
2) Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar a health tonic promoted for treating allergies, rashes, and infections and for aiding in digestion and promoting weight loss. The American Diabetes Association recommends vinegar as a way to increase insulin sensitivity for type 2 diabetics. Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar when consumed with water showed a reduction in LDL (bad) cholesterol and an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol. Because of its strong flavour and relatively low caloric content, apple cider vinegar is a healthy alternative to creamy dressings and sauces.
3) Oats
If you change your morning meal to oats then you can do your cholesterol level a whole lot of good. Do note that two servings of oats can lower LDL cholesterol by 5.3% in only 6 weeks. Essentially, oats contain a substance called beta-glucan which absorbs bad cholesterol.
4) Legumes
Legumes include dry, cooked or canned beans, lentils, peas and all the soya products (cooked or canned soya beans, soya mince, cubes, milk, tofu and tempeh).
Legumes have a high dietary fibre content and are rich in protective nutrients, including minerals, B vitamins and phytonutrients. These nutrients protect the heart and the dietary fibre content lowers cholesterol and energy intake.
Legumes are also naturally low in fat and don't contain any cholesterol. On top of this, they have a low glycaemic index (GI). The South African Food-based Dietary Guidelines recommend that we should eat dry beans, peas, lentils and soya regularly.
Make an effort to eat legumes at least three to four times a week, ideally every day.
5) Avocados
6) Barley
Barley one of the most nourishing cereals known to lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and regulate blood sugar levels. Studies suggest that the cholesterol lowering effect is caused by beta-glucan, a type of fibre present in barley, which has shown to reduce cholesterol levels from 4%-10% depending on the amount of barley consumed. Barley can easily be substituted for wheat in the form of rotis, khakras, noodles and delicious soup can also be made from pearl barley, which is available at most chemists .
7) Garlic
Garlic has been used for centuries to promote good health. Research shows that members of the allium family, such as garlic, spring onions and other onions, can be used to lower cholesterol and protect the heart. Use garlic liberally in cooking and on fresh salads.
Researchers believe that the high garlic content of the so-called Mediterranean diet is one of the factors that make this diet so heart-friendly.
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