Lower your cholesterol by changing your diet

If you take in less fat in your diet, especially “trans” fats you can reduce your cholesterol, sometimes making medications unnecessary. Many people can lower cholesterol significantly by making different choices for meals. Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains while eating less meat, especially fatty meat can by itself reduce total cholesterol by 25%, sometimes even more. You can lower it another 10%  by eating fewer dairy products (saturated fats) and partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats).

Follow these simple rules for reducing your cholesterol

Eat unsaturated Fats.  Vegetable oils are unsaturated fats and are healthy for your heart. Examples would be fish, nuts, seeds, and some vegetables.

Avoid Saturated Fats. But you have to limit your saturated fat intake too, meat and dairy products. Trans fats are foods made with “partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.”

More fiber! Soluble fiber like oatmeal and fruits can significantly lower blood cholesterol.

Plant sterols a are like cholesterol and if you eat them your body will limit the amount of cholesterol it will absorb naturally. Check the label of butter substitutes, spreads, juices, and yogurt.

Dietary changes may not work for everyone. Some people will need to find the right foods for them, not everything works for everyone. And the changes you make have to be ones that you will keep doing so find foods that you really like. Diets NEVER work, you have to make a permanent change in how and what you eat. The good news is that when you do others in your life will follow your new way of eating. Very important for future generation to get started on healthy eating when they are young.

Some people will still need medications to lower their cholesterol to safe levels. If you do not know your cholesterol level, get it checked today.