Good news for mature adults, you can lower your cholesterol naturally by changing your diet.
A new study has shown that older adults can reduce their bad (LDL) cholesterol by changing their fat intake.
900 Australian adults 49 years old and older were followed for ten years.
Participants that cut down on butter and saturated fats enjoyed lower overall cholesterol levels.
Those that also started eating more fish rich in omega-3 fatty acid saw their good (HDL) cholesterol levels rise. Omega-3 fatty acid can also lower yout triglyceride levels.
Foods That Can Naturally Lower Cholesterol
As mentioned above several types of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acid can lower your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels while raising your good (HDL) cholesterol levels.
Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and trout are a few fish high in omega-3 fatty acid.
Oatmeal can lower bad cholesterol levels. By oatmeal I mean old fashioned rolled oats, not the kid friendly instant oatmeal that is high in refined sugar. 12 ounces of oatmeal gives you 4.5 grams of soluble fiber, enough to lower cholesterol levels.
A half teaspoon of cinnamon can lower your blood sugar level in addition to lowering your triglycerides. Try putting some on your oatmeal for a double dose of good nutrition.
In recent years garlic has shown cholesterol reducing properties, enough that the are many over the counter garlic pills available for people who don’t like the taste but want the benefits.
Dry beans and brown rice (whole grain) work together to form a complete protein high in fiber and low in saturated fats. Throw in some onions, garlic, hot peppers, and turkey ham for a tasty low calorie, high protein meal that can really benefit your heart.
Fried foods are a major contributor to high cholesterol levels. The problem is that they taste so good that many people ignore the warnings until it’s too late.
One way to fry your food and eat it too is to fry in olive oil or canola oil. Both are high in omega-3 fatty acid and will allow you to enjoy fried foods in moderation.
A Few Simple Changes
Just by being aware of what you are eating and how it affects your health can reduce or eliminate your need for costly prescription drugs.
It seems that every month some new cholesterol lowering drug hits the airwaves. Do you really want to add one more pill to your regimen?
Often times the potentially harmful side effects take longer to list than the “benefits”. The next time you see a commercial for statin drugs pay attention to how long it takes to list both the benefits and side effects. One of the “side effects” is often DEATH. Kill you or cure you, are you willing to take that risk?
Start to eat healthier and both you and your wallet will feel much better.