Cholesterol is a topic that always seems to be in the news. Statins, which are commonly prescribed to people with high cholesterol, are some of the most prescribed drugs on the market today. Naturally, most people would prefer to know about LDL cholesterol levels how to lower with food. This starts by understanding the nature of cholesterol.
Understanding Cholesterol:
Cholesterol has a bad name but is actually vital for our body to function properly. It helps to protect our different cells and to clean our arteries. However, LDL, which is the bad type of cholesterol, can build up on our arterial walls, constricting the flow of blood. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes and it is vital that the LDL level is lowered. While statins are certainly effective in doing this, these drugs can have serious side effects. Furthermore, people should be committed to making the necessary lifestyle changes to be healthier.
Learn How To Lower LDL Cholesterol Levels With Food:
Cholesterol and oil are very closely related. Commercially baked foods and fried foods are full of trans fats, which can cause a lot of damage to the body. This is because they not only increase your level of LDL, they also lower the level of HDL. Hence, you need to avoid foods with trans fats and saturated fats completely.
What you should eat instead are foods full of fiber. What few people understand is that only about 20% of the cholesterol in the body comes from the food that you eat. Eighty percent of cholesterol in the body is produced in the liver in order to manage bodily functions. If you eat foods with a lot of fiber, your body will feel full and you won't eat as much. Furthermore, fiber is vital in reducing level of LDL, while also helping you to maintain a healthy weight.
Then, there is meat. If you see fat in your meat, avoid it as much as possible. Lean meats are much better for you. Do also take the skin off your chicken, no matter how tasty and crispy it is. Meat contains high levels of saturated fats, and this increases your level of LDL.
If you want to know about LDL cholesterol levels how to lower with food, you need to learn about super foods as well. Garlic is very important as it lowers your level of bad cholesterol. Other good foods include:
- Apples
- Chilies
- Red Peppers
- Broccoli
Plus, it's not all about food. You also have to make sure that you drink plenty of the right fluids. Basically, this means water. You need to drink plenty of water to flush your body of toxins and to keep properly hydrated. If you're bored with water, you could opt for fresh apple juice and grape juice as well. This are also full of good antioxidants.
Before you decide to opt for statins, you should think about your lifestyle as well. You could also try some herbal supplements that can help. Simply put, you must change your lifestyle in order to remain healthy.