Medications may not be necessary for people who have high cholesterol if they eat a healthy diet, according to MayoClinic.com. Choosing the right foods may be enough to lower cholesterol to healthy levels without drugs. Certain types of foods contribute naturally to fight high cholesterol.
Nuts
All kinds of nuts can decrease the amount of cholesterol in the blood, reports MayoClinic.com, and walnuts help keep blood vessels healthy as well. MayoClinic.com recommends eating about one handful of unsalted, non-sugarcoated nuts daily. Be careful not to exceed that amount by too much since nuts are high in calories. The Harvard School of Public Health notes that walnuts are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol levels.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an excellent source of soluble fiber, which reduces levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and may also reduce how much cholesterol the bloodstream absorbs, according to MayoClinic.com. Just one serving of 1 1/2 cups of cooked oatmeal contains 6g of fiber, says MayoClinic.com, and only 5 to 10g of soluble fiber per day are necessary to decrease cholesterol levels.
Fish
Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids that can lower cholesterol, reports the Harvard School of Public Health, and fatty fish contain the most omega-3 fatty acids. MayoClinic.com suggests that people trying to fight high cholesterol eat at least two servings of fish each week, choosing from among varieties such as salmon, herring, albacore tuna, halibut, lake trout, mackerel, and sardines. People should avoid preparing the fish in unhealthy ways, like frying, and instead either grill or bake it.
Olive Oil
Olive oil can lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol without changing levels of helpful HDL cholesterol, says the Mayo Clinic, which recommends that people include at least two tablespoons of olive oil each day in their diets. Some ways to do that include cooking with olive oil, using it to mix salad dressings, and substituting it for butter when eating bread. The Harvard School of Public Health says that canola oil also can fight high cholesterol because it's a good source of unsaturated fats.
