A New Natural Way to Lower Cholesterol

A recent study suggested that a low-fat vegetarian diet including soy, margarine containing plant sterols, barley, psyllium, eggplant, and almonds can reduce cholesterol levels almost as much as statin drugs.

The study involved three groups, totaling 46 men and women with high cholesterol levels. The vegetarian and low-fat diet plus statin groups both reported an average decrease in LDL of 30%. The low-fat diet-only group only had an 8% drop. In addition, the vegetarian and statin groups had similar reductions in C-reactive protein, an indication of inflammation, which in elevated levels increases the risk for heart disease.

Other studies have shown that consuming fish helps lower cholesterol as well as protecting it from free radicals, which turn LDL into artery-clogging plaque.

If you are concerned about cholesterol and your heart health, stick to a low-fat diet rich in vegetables and fish. Limit your intake of lean red meat. It¹s the gentle, natural approach to taking care of your heart.