Cholesterol is found throughout your body and is needed by your body to function properly. Too much cholesterol is a dangerous condition that can lead to heart disease. High levels of cholesterol can cause a build-up of plaque on the walls of your arteries, leading to narrowing and blockages that can cause heart attack and stroke, according to Medline Plus. Many foods have natural cholesterol-lowering properties and are often added to the diets of people who need to reduce their cholesterol levels.
High-Fiber Foods
MayoClinic.com recommends eating high-fiber foods to reduce your LDL cholesterol. You get fiber from plant-based foods like grains, fruit, legumes and vegetables. Foods like oatmeal contain soluble fiber, which lowers LDL or bad cholesterol by reducing the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Other foods with soluble fiber are oat bran, apples, barley, pears, prunes and kidney beans. MayoClinic.com recommends eating at least five to 10 grams of soluble fiber every day. Increase fiber content at a meal by mixing fruit with oatmeal.
Foods With Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce your risk of developing blood clots and reduce your triglyceride levels, according to Medline Plus. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood that is usually measured along with cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, like lake trout, salmon, halibut, sardines, herring and albacore tuna. Canola oil and flaxseed oil have smaller amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
Nuts
Nuts are high in calories, but they can reduce your blood cholesterol levels, according to MayoClinic.com. Walnuts are high in polyunsaturated fats, making them good for blood vessel health. MayoClinic.com suggests using nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, pistachios or hazelnuts in salads instead of cheese or croutons.
Olive Oil
The antioxidants in olive oil, especially extra-virgin olive oil, can lower LDL, or bad cholesterol, without affecting your HDL, or good, cholesterol, according to MayoClinic.com. Use olive oil to sauté, marinate or as an ingredient in salad dressing. The Food and Drug Administration recommends two tablespoons of olive oil daily, which is enough to realize the cholesterol-lowering benefits of the high-calorie oil.
Foods With Added Plant Sterols or Stanols
Some margarine products have cholesterol-lowering properties because of plant sterols or stanols, additives that prevent absorption of bad cholesterol while leaving good cholesterol unaffected, according to MayoClinic.com. The American Diabetes Association recommends eating two to three tablespoons of the special margarine each day to help lower your cholesterol level. Yogurt drinks and orange juice products are also available with plant sterols or stanols.
