Friday, April 10, 2009

Power Foods to Lower Your Cholesterol

Certain foods cannot only help reduce your cholesterol intake but also actively improve it. By adding these foods to your diet, combined with proper exercise, you will be on your way to feeling great and having a longer, healthier life.

The following are power foods that are an easy addition to your daily nutritional lifestyle. They taste great and are shown to improve your cholesterol.


Oat for Soluble Fiber

Oatmeal and oat bran are rich in soluble fiber, a type of fiber which lowers the bad LDL cholesterol without lowering the good HDL cholesterol. Food products containing oat bran and rolled oats, such as oatmeal, and whole oat flour can bear this health claim.


Fish for Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Fish is a good source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids - which has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. In particular, omega 3 fatty acids are noted for their triglyceride-lowering power.


Nuts for Healthy Fats

Nuts rich in fiber, phytonutrients and antioxidants such as Vitamin E and selenium. These tasty snacks are also high in plant sterols and fat - but mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which have all been shown to lower the bad LDL cholesterol. Nuts can be high in calories, so if your goal is to burn fat, you should monintor their intake.


Soy

Soy products are great substitutes for animal products. However, some sources conflict on whether soy can actually reduce your cholesterol. Should you avoid soy then? A simple answer is No. Although soy may not lower cholesterol to the extent we previously thought it could, many consider soy products a healthy replacement for meats and other foods high in saturated fat and total fat.


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