Can These Foods Lower High Cholesterol?
Approximately 25 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol, which is defined as a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or higher. This is concerning, as having high cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Luckily, making a few simple tweaks to your overall lifestyle can go a long way in lowering your cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of disease and helping you live a longer life.
One of the best places to start is by paying closer attention to what you’re putting in your shopping cart. While medication is often recommended and necessary to manage cholesterol levels, good nutrition is also essential. Because certain foods have more cholesterol-lowering benefits than others, we asked dietitians to share the top four foods they recommend adding to your grocery list this week.
1. Oats: Easy to find in most grocery stores—you can even get them in bulk at Costco—oats are a must-have pantry staple that won’t break the bank. They’re also one of the best foods for lowering cholesterol levels, thanks to their high soluble fiber content. Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol in the small intestine and prevents it from being absorbed into the bloodstream.
Excerpted from Eating Well
