Cholesterol Facts
Specific nutrients that reduce cholesterol:
1. Lecithin
-A good source of Choline
-Found in most legumes such as soy beans and mung beans
2. Vitamin E
-Whole grains and breads contain the freshest type of this vitamin
3. Dark green vegetables
-Preferably steamed 2-3 minutes
-Kale, collards, chard, parsley, spinach, artichoke…
4. Whole grains and beans
-Plant fiber in whole grains help reduce the fat in the blood and prevent hardening of the arteries
-Nearly all beans and peas are beneficial (lentils)
-Grains with a bitter flavor are rye, quinoa, amaranth and oats
5. Vitamin C
-Found in sprouts, cabbage, fresh parsley, bell peppers, broccoli, celery, all citrus fruits
6. Niacin
-Unprocessed whole grain breads
7. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (found in fish and nuts)
-Eat 7-10oz of fish weekly
-Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines, Lake/Rainbow Trout, Tuna
Oils
-Flax seed oil as well as flax ground meal (4 tbls/day)
– Olive oil has the highest amount of monounsaturated fat which reduces LDL
– AVOID common polyunsaturated oils such as corn, sunflower, safflower, soy linseed, soy flax and walnuts
FYI:
*Foods with pectin (a fiber) aid in eliminating cholesterol from the digestive tract. Some examples of foods with pectin are apples, cherries, and carrots.