Control cholesterol naturally with the right foods

by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts)
Dec 28th 2006 9:01AM

Categories: Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements

Cholesterol-lowering drugs can cause liver problems, muscle cramps and kidney problems. Fortunately, by adding certain foods to your diet, you can combat high cholesterol naturally.

For breakfast, increase the rate cholesterol is removed from your blood by upping your vitamin C intake. While too much might cause intestinal distress (read: diarrhea), most people can tolerate up to 2,000 milligrams daily.

You also might try having a glass of wine with dinner. This will boost your levels of high-density lipopprotein, or HDL, which, like vitamin C, also works to remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream. While, of course, too much wine has it's own negative side effects, in moderation it can make blood platelets slippery, thus reducing the chances of a fatal blood clot. If you do chose to imbibe, you should know that wines from Southwestern France contain substances which block a protein associated with heart disease.

HDL -- often referred to as "good cholesterol" -- is also boosted by soy protein found in tofu, soy nuts and soy burgers.

To reduce bad cholesterol, try eating almonds or adding a little cinnamon to your coffee.

Source

Comments (89)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

Mike in Dallas 12-30-2006 @ 10:30AM

The observations on how to improve cholesterol by specific foods are interesting and yet not quantified. Possibly helpful is the following fact. I was 40 pounds over the maximum healthy weight, and then I followed the Weight Watchers program, lost 50 pounds and thereby 50 cholesterol points. I started to eat a whole lot of healthy food as a way to eliminate most unhealthy foods. I increased my activity level, and kept off all the weight and cholesterol for eighteen months so far. - Mike

Sheri 12-30-2006 @ 10:30AM

My cholesterol was 219 when I went to the doctor March of 2004. She had said to exercise to help with it. I already ate good. She felt it was heredity. I started taking a product called Juice Plus in Sepember of 2004. That is all I did differently. I never did start exercising. I went back to the doctor for a check up in April 2005 and my cholesterol went down to 165. I keep the cards so I always have a reminder. I will never go off Juice Plus.

t 12-30-2006 @ 10:30AM

diet. exercise. quit smoking. even if you don't need to lose weight, avoid junk food. fight it every day. and always always be aware of your family history. no cheeseburger is worth a trip to the cardiac ward!

Arnold Rosenthal 12-30-2006 @ 10:30AM

What affects if any does lemon juice have on Cholesterol.

jim 12-30-2006 @ 7:26AM

The article got out the basic important message that what you eat can affect your cholesterol. However, it failed to emphasize that with many people, high cholesterol levels are genetic and for those, it is essential to have your cholesterol checked by your doctor, and then, after being on a diet of "good food", decide whether and which prescription drugs may be needed to bring cholesterol, both HDL and LDL, to the "healthy" levels. So don't realy on diet alone to do the trick - that could be a deadly mistake. jim

Terri 12-30-2006 @ 10:30AM

Frist, congrates to Mike.
My last cholesterol check was 119. I went for a stress test and that doctor put me on a cholesterol med. anyway. He said being a Diabetic it needed to be in the 70's. How do docters really decide what's the best number for who or is it really a money thing? (like my stepfather says)

Janelle Hastings 12-30-2006 @ 10:31AM

There are many ways to lower cholesterol: exercise, fat free
milk, limit red meat, add fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, flax seed,
cinnamon, garlic (comes in odor free), elminate fast food restau-
rants, most snack foods. Get a good source for fresh foods and
utilize it. Red Yeast Rice is a good choice instead of statins if you
abide by the above suggestions. The person who suggested
Weight Watcher's knows first hand it is successful. Taking off the
weight by eating right takes off the high cholesterol. Take charge.

PJ 12-30-2006 @ 10:31AM

My cholesterol was about 270 with my trigylcerides in the 400's! I lost 35 pounds by watching my caloric intake and cutting way back on junk food. I eat read meat about 6 times a year, cut way back on dairy products and no longer eat eggs. I got back into running after a 10 year hiatus and now run 20-30 miles a week. Within 4 months my cholesterol was down to 130 with NO DRUGS! I also had problems with heartburn and my dr immediately wanted to put me on meds from cholesterol and heartburn. With proper diet and excercise, I was able to avoid all medications!

JR Smith 12-30-2006 @ 10:31AM

The one comment about taking Red Yeast Rice..... it actually acts as a statin and has the same side affects so watch it if you decide to take it..... by the way it does work.

jim 12-30-2006 @ 10:31AM

Terri - the "proper" cholesterol levels, especially in your range - 119- are a highly debated subject in the medical world, and the views seem to be polar ie, one doctor will latch on to one set of data re one factor and promote medication that helps that factor. However, the risks of cholesterol medication are just now getting good press - moderate but significant muscle, ligament and joint problems from statins have not really be researched (probably because per your stepfather its a money issue) - I've experienced them and reduced my statin level to cure the problem - cholesterol is needed by your body - getting it too low could pose higher risks for your health than any benefit you get for your heart. here's a website with more info on possible downsides of statins.
http://www.mercola.com/2004/jul/24/statin_drugs.htm

jim

Maureen 12-30-2006 @ 8:22AM

What is Juice Plus? Where do you buy it?

Denise 12-30-2006 @ 10:31AM

I just recently found out my thyroid is out of wack AND my cholesterol is high. I was told if I get the thyroid under control, the cholesterol will take care of itself. Is this true? I'm also 40 pounds overweight. Have set up my gym at home(treadmill etc.) and have been eating much better. The slower metabolism isn't helping me to lose. (2 lbs. in 3 weeks,)very depressing.!!

Sandy Perry 1-01-2007 @ 6:11AM

My doctor said my cholesterol is heredity and I believe her after eating so healthy for a year, (was anyhow, made more adjustments) and my HDL got better and my LDL stayed the same or got worse. I was on a non statin med that is not agreeing with me. I have had a statin medication for a month and am scared to take it. I am sure my level is up again. Can anybody tell me what Juice Plus is and also what is Red Yeast Rice and where can I buy both of them? Thank you.

linette mel 12-30-2006 @ 10:32AM

my cholestral has been high all my life. right now im at 282 ive always eatten proper no fried no dairy no red meats no coffee. ive never smoked i was a jock in high school i still run 3 miles a day to this day and then 1 hr of aerobics daily lift weight everyother day take the proper supplements of red yeast rice omega-3's etc and i still have very high cholestral. tried 4 different cholestral meds only to have severe side effects so sometimes its just the cards your dealt with in life.

Betty Ackley 12-30-2006 @ 10:32AM

The name of the diet to lower cholesterol is the Portfolio Diet. Here is one journal article about the diet:Jenkins, D.J. (2003) Effects of a Dietary Portfolio of Cholesterol-Lowering Foods vs Lovastatin on Serum Lipids and C-Reactive Protein. JAMA:290 (4) Most people, not all, can control their cholesterol level with diet. I have hereditary cholesterol and have been doing this for over 20 years.
Adding almonds, increasing fiber, decreasing meat, adding plant sterols and more. To find out more information, Google the the following "Portfolio Diet"

Mary 12-30-2006 @ 9:05AM

I would like to know about Juice Plus also, what is it and where do you buy it?

Andrew H. Spann 12-30-2006 @ 10:32AM

Have'nt seen flax seed oil mentioned to lower cholesterol. My pharmacist recomended it and mine dropped 37 points between Dr. visit. He said to keep doing what I was doing.

Walter Hillyard 12-30-2006 @ 10:32AM

Hello. Take this as you will. I am 57, and just 4-1/2 years ago, i had me a heart attack, so they tell me, and my cholesteral was just over 200???? I ate right, excersized, played alot of sports, and have never smoked???? They did a double by pass. Just 3 months ago, i had my cholesteral checked and it was 117. My Dr., was still concerned and wanted it lower, lol. Anyways, i never took drugs of any kind, but i did eat alot of oat-meal, continued to play my sports (raquet ball), cut back to skim milk, more whole wheat, and i still haven't cut back on an occasional sweet, lol. Its so hard, lol.