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Although the word cholesterol is thrown around commonly as a negative term, there are actually two main types of cholesterol. The one most commonly talked about is LDL, or low-density lipoprotein. This LDL cholesterol is necessary is small doses, but too much leads to health problems and Heart disease. The other type of cholesterol is called HDL, or high-density lipoproteins. HDL cholesterol actually has several major health benefits including reducing the amount of bad LDL cholesterol in your body. The easiest way to raise you healthy HDL cholesterol levels is by consuming key foods. Here are some of the top foods to raise your HDL cholesterol.
Fish and SeafoodMuch of the fat found in seafood items like tuna and salmon is omega-3 fatty acids. This type of fat is considered to be very healthy for the human body, as it raises HDL cholesterol rather than LDL. Most doctors will recommend that those patients with high LDL cholesterol consume fish products two or three times a week in an effort to raise their healthy HDL cholesterol.
Fruits and VegetablesWhile not all produce items have the same effect on cholesterol, many fruits and vegetables have a secret weapon that both reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol in the body and increases the amount of HDL. This secret weapon is soluble fiber, found in most produce items.
Whole GrainsFor those people who struggle with increasing their HDL cholesterol, one of the easiest ways to make a change is by including whole grain foods in your diet. Most products have a whole grain version containing oatmeal or whole wheat. These whole grains contain the kind of fiber your body needs to balance the good and bad types of cholesterol and keep your heart healthy for years to come. Switch out white bread for a whole wheat version, and consider oat bran cereal or even oatmeal instead of a more processed breakfast.
By including items like seafood, whole grains, fruits and vegetables in your diet, it is possible to significantly increase your HDL cholesterol in just a few weeks.
What else can I help you with?
What supplements are good for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels?
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002 offers the top five foods that, when added to your diet, can raise good cholesterol and lower the bad cholesterol. Try avoiding all foods that have been fried. Fried foods are the most unhealthy options to consume in your daily diet.
What are the top ten foods that help lower cholesterol?
First, make sure you are aiming to lower your LDL levels, as HDL is a good cholesterol your body needs. Foods high in fiber, omaga 3 (fish), nuts, blueberries, avacodo, olives, live active culture yogurts etc. Pistachios are particularly good at significantly lowering the bad cholesterol.
Where can I find food lists that show which foods raise or lower cholesterol?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the top five foods to lower your cholesterol are: Oatmeal/oatbran, Fish/Omega 3's, walnuts/almonds/other nuts, olive oil, and foods that have sterols/stanols added to them. Common foods that may raise it are: chips, fries, anything in the snack aisle, ice cream, onion rings, donuts...'junk food'.
HDL Cholesterol: The Benefits?
Health class in high school teaches most kids that there are two types of cholesterol: good and bad. Eliminating bad cholesterol, preventing heart attacks, strokes and heart disease and other similar acts are among the top benefits of HDL cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Where LDL cholesterol is considered to be the "bad" cholesterol, HDL is the counterpart, being the "good" type, required for healthy function of the body. When a person consumes good cholesterol, which essentially includes foods without saturated fats, they will receive a number of benefits. There have been several studies that prove that those who have higher levels of HDL cholesterol are at less of a risk for heart disease, so it is safe to assume that diets high in HDL cholesterol can assist in safeguarding the body from developing such a serious illness. It is also known to help fight a heart condition where the veins and arteries of the body become clogged, which is known as atherosclerosis. This condition inevitably leads to more serious conditions, including heart attack, stroke and coronary artery disease. Raising the amount of HDL cholesterol that an individual takes allows them to take the first step to protecting themselves against strokes and heart attacks. HDL in general features numerous antioxidant properties that allow toxins to be eliminated from the blood. It also features anti-inflammatory abilities, which allow it to even further protect the body from strokes and heart attacks. It is a delicate act of balancing to take in the appropriate amount of HDL cholesterol. While the bodies need the fats that are found in cholesterol, it is important to keep as low an LDL level as possible while maintaining a high level of HDL. Every person has a varying amount of cholesterol in their own body, and a lipid test can determine the amount of good and bad cholesterol that that person has. This allows the person to change their dieting habits as necessary to boost the levels of their HDL cholesterol. As an interesting fact, if a woman has not yet undergone menopause, they will usually have more HDL cholesterol than a man does due to the levels of HDL being raised by estrogen.
What type of food or natural herbs can I take that will help to lower cholesterol?
When trying to lower your bad cholesterol, and raise your good, there are many herbs and foods you can add to your diet. The top five foods to lower bad cholesterol and raise the good: oatmeal's and bran's, high protein nuts (walnuts- almonds), omega-3 fatty acid foods (fish), olive oil (FDA recommends about 2 tablespoons a day), and foods high in plant sterols (yogurts-juices-margarines). Herbs such as garlic, green tea, chamomile, ginger, and red yeast rice have been found to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. Remember, herbs are not regularly studied or monitored by the FDA, so always check with your doctor. Some herbs or foods can interfere with medications you are already taking. You can eat celery to lower cholesterol. Tea is another herbs that you can take to help lower your cholesterol.
Where can I find lists of high cholesterol foods?
A website that lists the top ten foods to avoid when trying to follow a low cholesterol diet is cholesterol.about.com/.../dietitiansadvice/.../foodstoavoid
What are low cholesterol foods?
Certain foods, such as beans, oats and whole grains, fatty fish, and fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber, can lower. The foods you eat can help lower your cholesterol. Here are five top choices. Cholesterol gets a bad rap. In fact, our bodies need some cholesterol.
What are the top foods high in cholesterol?
Some of the top foods that are high in cholesterol are egg yolks, caviar (fish roe), liver, palate, foie grass, butter and shrimp. Fast foods, particularly breakfast fast foods, are also very high in cholesterol because they usually contain eggs and are usually coked in high-cholesterol-containing fats.
What are some foods I can eat to lower my cholesterol?
High cholesterol comes from eating foods that can cause plaque build-up in arteries. there are many great foods out there with low cholesterol though. For example the most widely known is cheerios. cheerios are overall good for your heart. they can regulate blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol.
Are there websites that offer lists of foods that lower cholesterol?
Cholesterol is mostly about greasy foods, you're going to want to stay away from fast food first things first. By doing so you will lower your cholesterol in no time. Another important factor isn't always the food, it's excercise. Here is a list of the top 5 foods to eat to lower cholesterol. www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002
Are there any websites that can help me find low cholestrol foods?
There are many foods that can help lower cholesterol. For example Honey Nut Cheerios, Salmon, nuts and many others. In the links below there are other great foods that can help lower cholesterol. http://www.prevention.com/health/nutrition/food-remedies/delicious-cholesterol-lowering-foods/article/cce166263d803110VgnVCM20000012281eac____ http://dietmotion.com/top-10-foods-to-lower-cholesterol.html http://www.laurelonhealthfood.com/2007/08/14-foods-that-lower-cholesterol/
Which foods have are low cholesterol and which are not?
Consult your physician before you change your diet. Top Ten foods that will help you to lower your cholesterol are: Apples, beans, Brown rice, cinamon, garlic, Grapes, Oats, salmon, soy products and walnuts.
