Foods that Lower LDL Bad Cholesterol

LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. Its role is to move cholesterol and other fatty substances to the cells where it can be used or stored. LDLs are made in the liver and intestines.

LDLs consist of cholesterol wrapped in a protein sheath; hence, the name lipo for fat, and protein - 'lipoprotein'. The protein wrapping is needed because blood is mainly of liquid and the fats in cholesterol would be difficult to transport in the blood stream. By wrapping the waxy-fatty cholesterol in a protein sheath, the fats can easily move through the bloodstream.

Newborn babies have an LDL level between 25 and 40 mg/dL, whereas the average American adult's LDL level is somewhere between 130 and 160 mg/dL. However, LDL levels below 100 mg/dL are optimal.

The body makes enough cholesterol for its needs, so cholesterol that is ingested is extra. Plants do not produce cholesterol only animals do. The easiest way to lower your cholesterol is to limit your intake of animal products.

Thousands of years ago, early man ate from the natural environment. He had more plants in his diet than he did animals because animals were harder to kill. Human physiologies developed in response to that early environment.

Today we have processed foods and fast foods which contain a lot of fillers that make the food smell and taste delicious. But these fillers can contain ingredients that increase our cholesterol. So returning to a more natural, plant-based diet will help lower your LDL cholesterol.

LDL cholesterol can be lowered by eating grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and small portions of lean meat or fish.

For breakfast have a bowl of oatmeal and a glass of pulpy, orange juice, or a bowl of cereal (as close to the grain as possible - not processed) and pulpy, orange juice.

For mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks eat an apple, a pear, some other fresh fruit, or a handful of nuts (nuts are high in calories so only once a day).

For lunch have plain yogurt with fresh fruit in it. Or a tuna fish sandwich on stone-crushed, whole wheat bread.

For the dinner meal have two fresh vegetables, a 4-ounce portion of lean meat or fish with a colorful, garden salad. Top the salad with vinegar and olive oil. Drink a 4-ounce glass of grape juice with the dinner meal.

To lower LDL cholesterol, you have to limit the amount of cholesterol you eat. You need to gravitate towards natural, heart-healthy foods, and get away from processed foods. The latter might taste incredibly good, but in general they are incredibly bad for you.

About the Author:

Tim Lazaro is a nutrition scholar and competitive, masters runner who writes on issues related to heart health, natural-food diets, and aerobic exercise. By employing the diets and life-style changes that he writes about, he has lowered his total cholesterol and lost weight.

If you want to learn more about lowering your cholesterol, download his Free guide here: waystoloweryourcholesterol.com/SPS/FiveSecrets.html Five Secrets to Lowering Cholesterol