If you have high cholesterol, the best thing you can do outside of your drug regimen is to understand how the food you eat affects your cholesterol levels. For example, foods containing unsaturated fats -- such as flaxseed oil -- may improve your cholesterol numbers by stimulating your body's natural cleansing processes. Discuss changes to your diet with your doctor first.
Cholesterol Basics
Your body produces two different kinds of cholesterol, one good for you and one bad. LDL cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein, is necessary for tissue health but clumps in your bloodstream and increases your risk for circulatory illnesses. HDL cholesterol -- high-density lipoprotein -- cleans your bloodstream of contaminants, including clumps of harmful LDL cholesterol.
High Cholesterol
When your doctor says you have "high cholesterol," he's referring either to your levels of LDL cholesterol, or your total cholesterol -- a metric that takes into account both your LDL levels and the mitigating effects of HDL. If your LDL count is above 190 milligrams per deciliter of blood, your LDL levels are dangerously high. A total cholesterol count above 240 milligrams per deciliter is similarly dangerous.
Flaxseed Oil
According to the U.S. Department of Agricultures' nutrition information database, flaxseed oil contains 1.3 g of saturated fat and 11.6 g of unsaturated fat per 1-tablespoon serving. Your body produces unhealthy LDL in response to the presence of saturated fat, and produces the healthy HDL when you eat foods containing unsaturated fat.
The Theory
In theory, flaxseed oil can be a natural treatment for high cholesterol because it contains overwhelmingly more unsaturated fat than saturated fats. Your body should produce HDL in greater quantities, contributing to a better total cholesterol score, lower LDL levels and generally better circulatory health.
The Bad News
Although the theory is sound, a report by the University of Maryland Medical Center says that flaxseed oil's effectiveness as a cholesterol control agent is still up for debate. Studies have show inconclusive, and contradictory results. It's also worth noting that flax contains high amounts of dietary fiber -- another substance that helps your body clean out harmful substances like LDL cholesterol. Flaxseed oil is missing that ingredient, meaning it is most likely less effective for cholesterol control than whole flax.
References
- US Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Flaxseed Oil
- Mayo Clinic: Cholesterol Values
- "Eat, Drink and Be Healthy"; Walter Willett, et. al; 2004
