The Standard American Diet (SAD) created an epidemic of people experiencing high cholesterol and heart disease. But, you can dramatically lower your cholesterol by changing the food you eat. Cholesterol is harmful because it causes inflammation and forms plaques in your blood vessels. So here is what you can do to treat high cholesterol naturally.
Stop eating foods that contain cholesterol
Such foods include meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy products. All of these low-fiber, high-fat foods increase your liver’s production of cholesterol, especially the bad LDL cholesterol.
Avoid saturated fats or trans fats
If you are already on a vegan diet and still experiencing problems with high LDL cholesterol, make sure you have eliminated trans fats (commercially baked goods) and plant sources of saturated fats: palm kernel oil, palm oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter (found in chocolate), and vegetable shortening.
Eat foods high in soluble fiber
Fiber is the key to lowering your cholesterol! The liver produces cholesterol and eliminates any excess by converting it into bile, which is eliminated in your stools. Soluble fiber works by binding the excess bile and cholesterol in your gastrointestinal tract, thus removing the cholesterol with your stools. Fiber speeds up your intestines’ ability to eliminate waste, so the bile/cholesterol is removed faster. By accelerating this process, fiber prevents the cholesterol from being reabsorbed back into your blood. Dietary fiber works best when you drink plenty of water.
Eat leafy greens
Greens lower your cholesterol, increase your nitric oxide level, and repair diseased blood vessels. Greens are superior for reversing heart disease, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, cancer, and other degenerative disease throughout the body.
Should you take a cholesterol-lowering medication?
Most people can effectively lower their cholesterol by changing their diet. However, some people at a significantly higher risk for heart attack or stroke, should be prescribed a cholesterol-lowering medication while simultaneously optimizing their diet. Over time, these individuals may reverse their disease to such an extent that medications are no longer required.
Unless you like taking drugs, superior nutrition is your best way to get your cholesterol under control. Unlike medication, healthy food lowers your cholesterol without toxic side effects and restores your good health.
Carla Hightower, MD, MBA is a physician, health coach, workplace wellness consultant, and speaker. She helps people heal themselves with food. Through wellness workshops and courses, she helps companies create healthy, energetic teams.
0 Comments