by Laura
(USA)
Every article I read on cholesterol tells you all about how bad high cholesterol is for you. But, you are not here for that. You already know that and are here to find out what to do about it. I'm going to lead in with why you may have high cholesterol and what you can do to lower your cholesterol.
First, your body makes cholesterol for a reason. One way it is used by your body is to help fight free radicals. You may have heard of these. If not, a Google search will bring you up to speed. Too many free radicals in your body is not good.
So my first suggestions to help lower your cholesterol, is to reduce some of the things in your life that generate free radicals in your body.
These include...
- Smoking cigarettes - quit
- Water chemicals (chlorine, fluoride, etc.) - Drink filtered water and take baths/showers with filtered water.
- Processed foods contain all sorts of chemicals (preservatives, pesticides, artificial flavorings, etc.) - Eat whole organic foods whenever possible.
- Drugs and medicine - Choose natural/herbal alternatives whenever possible. (Don't quit taking prescription drugs without talking to your doctor first!)
- Alcohol - Reduce your alcohol intake to 1 drink a day or less.
- Solvents/Chemicals in the air - Wear an appropriate mask if you can't reduce the time you spend with these types of chemicals.
My next suggestion is to eat more foods that are high in antioxidants which also help fight free radicals which will help lower your cholesterol.
Foods that help lower cholesterol...
- Apples - Remember 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away?' - It's true! - Eat more apples; skins and all! If you can't eat the seeds, put them in the blender when making smoothies.
- Grapes - Make sure to eat the skins. The seeds also have antioxidants but they're hard to eat, so add grape to smoothies, seeds and all.
- Berries - Dark and red colored berries, such as elderberries, bilberries, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.
- Cacao/cocoa beans - That's DARK chocolate! - 80% cacao and up, the higher, the better - You do NOT want the added sugar of milk chocolate candy!
- Red wine - One drink a day or less (average glass of wine is 5 ounces).
Following these suggestions above, along with a diet low in sugar and high in nutrients will help lower your cholesterol.