Lowering Your Cholesterol Through Diet
By Jennifer Moll, About.com Guide to Cholesterol
High cholesterol is probably one of the most modifiable risk factors when it comes to heart disease. The good news is that by making a few simple adjustments to your everyday food consumption, you can help to lower your cholesterol. There are many ways to you can do this -- from following a cholesterol-lowering meal plan to adding a few foods that aid in lowering cholesterol -- there is a way to help make your diet lipid-friendly.
- Types of Cholesterol-Lowering Diets
- Watching Your Fat Intake
- Making the Right Diet Choices
- Cholesterol-Friendly, Heart-Healthy Foods
- Other Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Having High Cholesterol
Types of Cholesterol-Lowering Diets
South Beach, Mediterranean, Dean Ornish...there are many different diets that can help you lower your cholesterol levels, but do they measure up to the hype?
- How Popular Diets Stack Up When It Comes to Lowering Cholesterol
- The TLC Diet
- Can The Mediterranean Diet Lower Cholesterol?
- The Vegetarian Diet and Cholesterol
- The DASH Diet and Cholesterol
Watching Your Fat Intake
Watching your fat intake is an important part of any cholesterol-lowering diet. There are many types of fat that could hinder your efforts to lower your cholesterol. On the other hand, other types of healthy foods contain a heart-friendly fat that can help you to manage your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Understanding the Difference Between the Fats
- What Is The Difference Between Unsaturated and Saturated Fats?
- What Is the Difference Between Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fats?
- Are Fat-Free Foods Really Free Of Fat?
- Shopping Low Fat At The Grocery Store
- Top 10 Low Fat Foods To Stock In Your Pantry
- How To Distinguish Between Low and High Cholesterol Foods
- Which Foods Are High In Unsaturated Fats?
- Which Foods Are High In Trans Fats?
- Which Foods Are High In Saturated Fat?
Making the Right Diet Choices
Following a healthy diet may help lower cholesterol, but it can also prevent high cholesterol from occurring in the first place. There are many types of diets out there, but each one of them follows the same pattern: low-fat foods and lots of fruits and vegetables. Even if you decide to design your own cholesterol-lowering diet, there are many foods that you can add that can also help to lower your cholesterol.
- The Basics of a Low-Cholesterol, Low-Fat Diet
- Healthy Snacking The Low-Cholesterol Way
- What is the TLC Diet?
- Consuming Carbohydrates and Lowering Cholesterol
- Are Fat-Free Foods Really Free Of Fat?
- How Much Cholesterol Do I Need To Consume Each Day?
- Shopping Low-Fat At The Grocery Store
- Which Milk Is Best To Drink On A Low Cholesterol Diet?
- Butter Vs Margarine: Which Should I Use If I'm Concerned About Cholesterol?
Cholesterol-Friendly, Heart-Healthy Foods
There are a variety of foods out there, from blueberries to pecans, that can help prevent your cholesterol levels from getting too high. Additionally, if you already have high cholesterol, these foods may be able to slightly lower your cholesterol.
- Foods Containing Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Soy and Cholesterol
- Do Phytosterols Lower Cholesterol?
- The Truth About Tea
- Does Oatmeal Really Help Lower Cholesterol?
- Chocolate: Friend or Foe?
- Cholesterol-Lowering Effects of Blueberries
- The Benefits of Walnuts
- Pistachios: A Cholesterol-Friendly Nut
- Are Pecans Heart-Healthy?
- A Cholesterol-Lowering Cheddar Cheese
- Health Benefits of Tomatoes To Lower Cholesterol
- Lowering Your Cholesterol With Fiber
- Do I Need A Lot of Soluble Fiber To Lower Cholesterol?
- Can An Apple A Day Keep High Cholesterol Levels Away?
- Is There A Connection Between Capsaicin and Lowered Cholesterol?
- Does Coffee Lower Cholesterol?
- Can Alcohol Lower Cholesterol?
Other Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Having High Cholesterol
Moderate exercise and smoking cessation can also reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. You don't have to be a triathlete or have a gym membership to get exercise -- there are many studies that suggest even brisk walking will help to lower your cholesterol levels. Additionally, there are many programs - exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation - to help you to get motivated.
