Although cholesterol sometimes gets a bad rap, it plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health, since it's a component of cell membranes and required for hormone production. However, excess LDL or "bad" cholesterol and low levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease as well as stroke. Increasing HDL cholesterol helps remove excess cholesterol from cells and brings it into the liver where it's broken down and discarded as waste. Evidence suggests that certain foods, vitamins and minerals are effective for increasing HDL cholesterol in the body.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice high levels of antioxidants might help boost HDL cholesterol levels, according a study from the Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods of Laval University, presented at the 2004 Canadian Cardiovascular Society's Annual Congress in Calgary. Overweight subjects with elevated LDL cholesterol levels were assigned a daily glass of cranberry juice for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, scientists observed that subjects experienced a 10 percent increases in HDL cholesterol levels.
Chromium
Chromium, which is found in foods such as broccoli, apples, beans, whole grains, red wine and orange juice, is a trace mineral that may boost HDL cholesterol levels. On the InteliHealth website Harvey Simon, M.D. from Harvard notes a 1991 study indicating that chromium was effective at increasing HDL cholesterol levels by 16 percent in both women and men.
Niacin
Researchers from the University of California investigated the mechanism behind how niacin, also known as vitamin B3, increases HDL cholesterol levels in the body. They concluded that niacin prevents the liver from removing HDL cholesterol from the blood, thereby maintaining elevated HDL cholesterol levels. Although these findings are promising, further research is needed, according to their report in the March 2008 issue of the "Journal of Lipid Research."
