Which foods reduce Cholesterol naturally?

Cholesterol that is found all over the body – blood, cells, arteries and tissues. It’s an extremely important element that’s needed to maintain hormonal balance.

It becomes a problem when the ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL, VLDL triglycerides) overtakes the ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL). High cholesterol levels can also lead to obesity, diabetes and joint pains.

A poor diet, lack of protein, inadequate physical movement, smoking, being overweight are some of the reasons for high cholesterol levels.

Statins are an easy way out to control these levels, but these are strong medicines and difficult to stop.

A few lifestyle changes and control your cholesterol naturally. It can be done through natural food sources.

Celery, cucumber, ginger & mint juice

Packed with nutrients and antioxidants, it helps purify blood and optimizes functioning of the liver so it reduces the production of LDL cholesterol.

Simply blend the ingredients with some water and add a pinch of Himalayan salt. Drink it immediately – do not let it sit around after blending.

Fiber-rich food

Fiber helps to trap cholesterol and prevents the body from reabsorbing it into the bloodstream.

It helps remove it as waste from the body, keeping overall toxins low. Good sources of fiber: Overnight soaked chia and flax seeds, green vegetables, whole grains, berries.

Oats

Rich in fiber, oats also increase satiety and keep blood sugar levels in check – helping reduce food cravings.

This helps with weight management and thus helps in controlling cholesterol levels.

Protein

Increasing your intake of protein along with proper physical movement (strength training, walking, pilates, yoga) helps increase HDL levels, while reducing LDL levels.

This happens when each cell in the body reduces its fat content and increases its protein content.

Clean sources of protein include: eggs, salmon, paneer, edamame, green beans, lentils, chickpea, kidney beans, sprouts, and prawns.

Healthy fats

High cholesterol levels does not mean you cannot have fats. Healthy fats are a great source of omega 3, which keeps the heart healthy.

Include food items like ghee, avocado, salmon, olive oil, nuts and seeds to your diet to keep the heart healthy and reduce LDL levels.

Bananas

High in potassium and fiber, bananas help maintain blood sugar balance, reduce food cravings and block cholesterol from being absorbed from the intestines in the bloodstream.

Wheatgrass juice

A good lifestyle includes the removal or lowered consumption of sugar and processed foods like potato chips, full fat dairy, canned drinks, sugary snacks and so on.

They are full of preservatives that add pressure on the body’s natural elimination system, making it harder to remove toxins. It’s best to focus on home cooked food, rich in whole grains, fresh, seasonal produce!