There are several foods out there that claim to be low in cholesterol, but is diet all you need to pay attention to for cholesterol control?
If you’re trying to watch your weight, or are concerned about your heart health, there are a few things you’ll want to do in addition to your diet to make sure that you have a handle on cholesterol control.
What Foods Should You Eat For Cholesterol Control
One of the best things to do for a healthy diet that includes low cholesterol is to eat foods that are low in saturated fats. This means that you may have to cut down on fast food, since most of it is deep fried and full of additional calories that will only add extra weight around your heart area.
You’ll also need to make sure that you’re eating healthy homemade meals for cholesterol control. This means lots of whole grains; instead of enriched white pastas, try whole wheat or brown rice pasta. If you want to have toast in the mornings for breakfast, try whole grain or multigrain bread for more fiber, calcium,and iron.
Eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables will help with cholesterol control as well, since the fiber will help regulate the flow of blood in the body, and will keep fatty deposits away from the heart.
Should You Take Supplements To Control Cholesterol
There are also a number of supplements that you can take for cholesterol control, since studies have shown that cholesterol medication alone doesn’t help eliminate the problem completely. In addition to a healthy diet, you may want to start taking Niacin, which is a B-complex vitamin that lowers cholesterol when taken in high dosages.
Taking about two grams per day, along with statins (traditional medications) can help you to see a change in your cholesterol levels sooner than you think. Niacin will also raise levels of ‘good’ cholesterol.
Fiber Can Also Help With Cholesterol Control
Soluble fiber are also instrumental in cholesterol control. If you find that you’re not getting the fiber intake that you need in your diet, you can take fiber supplements to get the cholesterol-lowering benefits you need.
Lots of fiber in the diet helps with cholesterol levels because the fiber binds to the cholesterol and bile acids in the colon, which means the cholesterol can’t be absorbed by the body. This means the arteries will not become clogged, and toxins will stay away from the heart.
If you want to know more about cholesterol control, or need to come up with a great diet that you know you can follow, you may want to log onto WebMD Cholesterol Management for great medication recommendations, as well as tips on fruits and vegetables that will help you to keep your heart healthy.