High cholesterol can sometimes be very difficult to fight. It can sometimes be lowered by taking medications. However, some foods are very helpful with lowering cholesterol naturally. Physicians have also been known to recommend certain foods to their patients to help get the cholesterol levels lower. In fact, many cardiologists commonly keep a list of these beneficial foods to provide directly to their patients.
Juice
Some juices can be very helpful with reducing the cholesterol levels. Grape juice and cranberry juice are examples of fruit juices that contain antioxidants that help to lower cholesterol. In addition, pomegranate juice helps to clean out plaque that can build up in the arteries from high cholesterol levels. According to The Mayo Clinic, some plants are fortified with substances called sterols or stanols which can help to block the absorption of cholesterol. Orange juice is sometimes fortified with sterols and as a result can also be very helpful in reducing high cholesterol.
Nuts
Nuts have a great deal of nutritional benefits but they are also helpful in fighting high cholesterol. The Mayo Clinic reports that eating nuts has been proven to lower the low density lipoproteins (LDL) which is considered the "bad" cholesterol. Some nuts can be very beneficial with the reduction of cholesterol. Pistachios, walnuts and almonds are all examples of good nuts that can be used to help lower cholesterol. People who choose to eat these nuts as a snack rather than eating a sugary sweet snack or potato chips are actually improving their cholesterol levels and keeping their hearts healthy.
Yogurt
Yogurt is another food that can help a person to lower their cholesterol levels. According to the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, yogurt eaten each day can actually help to raise your "good" cholesterol levels. In addition, many yogurts now contain probiotics which can actually help to reduce the overall cholesterol levels in individuals by reducing the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream. Therefore, if you have a problem with high cholesterol you may be able to reduce the high levels by using yogurt in your breakfast meal every morning or at snack time.
