Worried about your cholesterol? I know it is a big word, but don’t be scared of it…
Cholesterol is actually good for you.
It is important to understand there are two types of cholesterol-
HDL- the “good” cholesterol (the favorable child…)
LDL- the “bad” cholesterol (the one with the bad reputation…)
Cholesterol is not dangerous and is not a bad word… We need it to protect our nerves, to produce healthy cells and hormones. You’ll be surprised to learn that most of the cholesterol in our body is actually LDL, and the rest is HDL.
Why is LDL “bad”? Because when the balance is off, it collects in the walls of our blood vessels and raises the chances of a stroke or a heart attack…
Findings from 180 reviews, 20 controlled trials and 37 papers that scientists gathered found specific foods that can decrease LDL cholesterol.
Here are the main categories of LDL lowering foods:
Fruits and vegetables
Beans and legumes
Healthy fats
Certain spices like Turmeric
Green tea
Fiber-rich foods
One very unique group that has been found to dramatically decrease LDL is plant sterols. These are substances found naturally in small amounts in many grains and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds.
They prevent LDL from being absorbed into the bloodstream and instead of clogging arteries, it goes out with our body’s waste!
Here are some of the foods that are especially high in plant sterols:
Pistachios
Olive oil
Oregano
Thyme
Nuts
Almond butter
Sesame oil
Macadamia nuts
Sesame oil
They are easy to add to our diet, but can also be taken as a supplement.
Finally, you need to remember that in order to maintain the right balance between LDL and HDL cholesterol, a healthy lifestyle is required.
Managing stress, getting enough sleep, and moving regularly can significantly lower your LDL levels.
