When this extra cholesterol is oxidized in the blood stream, it is deposited in the blood vessels and arteries as plaque. This can cause blockage in the circulatory system and significantly increase your risk of coronary heart disease, as well as atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. It also elevates blood pressure and can increase your risk for diabetes.

Furthermore, there are also “good” forms of cholesterol and “bad” forms of cholesterol, more properly known as HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, respectively. HDL cholesterol can help move cholesterol through the body to places where it is needed. [1] Whereas LDL cholesterol is what builds up in the arteries and blood vessels, posing a threat to your health. Going on a cholesterol diet requires understanding the difference between these good and bad fats. It also includes learning what other lifestyle tips might help to lower or balance the cholesterol levels in your body.

Foods that Help to Lower Cholesterol

Some of the best foods on a cholesterol diet that help you lower LDL levels include whole-grain oats, nuts, tea, legumes, garlicand olive oil, among others.

Whole Grain Oats

Numerous studies have linked an increase in whole-grain oats with a reduction in LDL cholesterol due to a substance known as beta-glucan, in addition to the amount of dietary fiber found in these grains. A simple shift of your morning cereal can make a major difference in the overall cholesterol levels.

Nuts

Various types of nuts have good levels of HDL cholesterol, which can actively reduce your levels of “bad” cholesterol. Almonds, cashews, and walnuts are particularly good for this, but be wary of how many you eat, as there are quite a few calories in most nut varieties. [2]

Known as one of the healthiest vegetable oils to use in your diet, olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. This can help to lower LDL cholesterol and improve heart health, particularly if you replace canola oil and other seed-based oils with this staple of the Mediterranean diet. [3]

Garlic

Packed with antioxidants and sulfuric compounds, studies have found that regular garlic intake can lower blood pressure. [4] It can also help to prevent cholesterol from being deposited in the blood vessels, and measurably lower your risk for cardiovascular conditions.

Legumes

Beans are rich in dietary fiber, which can regulate the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed by the body. [5] Since the liver already produces enough cholesterol for our daily needs, food items like beans can help cholesterol quickly pass out of the body and be excreted.

Green tea is perhaps the most thoroughly studied and globally praised tea variety, as it can lower LDL cholesterol levels and prevent oxidative stress, both of which can increase your risk of heart disease. [6]

Tips for Lowering Cholesterol Naturally

When it comes to lowering cholesterol naturally, aside from designing a smart cholesterol diet, you should also quit smoking, increase your exercise regimen, limit alcohol and lose weight, just to name a few helpful tips.

Exercise

A cholesterol diet is a great place to start if you want to improve your health, but regular exercise can further help to increaselevels of HDL (good) cholesterol. [7] It also aids in boosting circulation, lowering blood pressure and preventing the deposition of cholesterol in the arteries.

Alcohol

While consuming a small to moderate amount of alcohol has been linked to lowering cholesterol levels, drinking alcohol in excess will cause a rise in triglyceride levels and “bad” cholesterol. [8] So always drink in moderation, and avoid beer and liquor, if possible. Instead, choose wine as a healthy option for your cholesterol diet treat.

Smoking

By increasing blood pressure and acting as an astringent on blood vessels, smoking is one of the worst things you can do if you have high cholesterol. It is well-known that smoking will reduce levels of HDL cholesterol in the body, which is the good kind that you want for optimal health. [9]

If you are obese, you likely lead a more sedentary life and eat poorly, both of which can contribute to a rise in the overall cholesterol and a poor balance between HDL and LDL. Even 30 minutes of regular exercise per day can make a notable difference in your cholesterol management. [10]

Low-cholesterol Diets

Some of the best low-cholesterol diets are the Mediterranean Diet, DASH Diet, Vegetarian or Vegan Diet, The Engine 2 Diet and the Flexitarian Diet, among others.

DASH Diet

This diet focuses on plants, primarily fruits, and vegetables, along with nuts, lean meats, low-fat dairy items and whole grains. [11]

Vegetarian or Vegan Diet

When you cut out fatty meats and poultry from your diet, you will need to get your protein from other sources. [12] The sources can be nuts, seeds, and beans, most of which will help to lower your cholesterol or increase your “good” forms of cholesterol.

Engine 2 Diet

This is a 4-week diet that involves cutting out different food groups for the first three weeks – 1) Processed Foods/Refined Foods/Dairy, 2) Meat/Poultry/Eggs, 3) Oils – and primarily consuming legumes, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables throughout the month.

Flexitarian Diet

Similar to a vegetarian diet, a majority of your intake will be plant-based, but without the strict rules of vegetarianism or veganism, meat can be consumed occasionally, roughly 5-15% of the time. [13]

Mediterranean Diet

Considered one of the healthiest diets on the planet, this diet consists of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and beans, along with eliminating excess salt and limiting red meat intake to 1-2 times per month.

Cholesterol Food Myths

There are quite a few myths about cholesterol that should be cleared up before they affect your dietary choices.

All Cholesterol is Bad: Remember, our body requires cholesterol for countless bodily functions, and “good” cholesterol can actually protect your heart health, so completely cutting out cholesterol from your diet is a poor decision.

Low-fat, High-carb Diets are Best: Your body needs fat to function, so eliminating it and replacing it with carbs is a good way to increase overall calorie intake. [14] Fat is also a more valuable source of energy, and its metabolism leads to the release of ketones, which are powerful packets of energy. A balance of protein, carbs, and fats is ideal.

Seed Oils are Good: Alternate vegetable oils are appealing, but some oils, such as soybean, safflower, sesame and peanut oil, are all very high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can damage your overall cholesterol levels.

Trans Fats = Saturated Fats: Saturated fats aren’t ideal options in your diet, but they are much different than trans fats. They are known to be toxic and increase inflammation, as well as boost your risk of heart disease.

Super Foods that Help Lower Cholesterol

In terms of the best foods for lowering cholesterol, be sure that your cholesterol diet includes avocados, turmeric, sweet potatoes, salmon, and spinach, among others.

Turmeric

Rich in curcumin and other antioxidant compounds, this spice is an excellent way to lower overall cholesterol levels and increase the metabolism, which will help to burn fat and aid weight loss efforts. [15]

Sweet Potatoes

As a great source of water-soluble fiber, sweet potatoes can help prevent excessive absorption of cholesterol from food, which is good if you already are struggling to keep your levels under control. [16]

Salmon

One of the best foods for accessing omega-3 fatty acids, which are the “good” form of cholesterol. [17] This can help balance your cholesterol levels and provide other valuable minerals and nutrients.

Avocados

Rich in monounsaturated fats, avocados are some of the healthiest fruits in any diet. They have directly been linked to raising HDL and lowering LDL cholesterol levels, even if you only consume them 1-2 times per week. [18]

Foods that Increase Cholesterol

If you are trying out a new cholesterol diet to lower your overall cholesterol levels, the foods that you should definitely avoid include trans fats, fatty meats, butter/margarine, full-fat dairy and fast food.

Fatty Meat – Red meat and fatty forms of protein may be delicious, but they form a foundation for some people’s diets, making it very difficult to control high cholesterol levels.

Butter/Margarine – Replacing these high-fat items with olive oil or other healthy options is essential, as both butter and margarine contribute to your LDL cholesterol levels.

Full-Fat Dairy Products – While some of the minerals and nutrients in dairy products are good for the body, the amount of fat in cheese, creams, whipped toppings and coffee creamers is dangerously high.