Enjoy These Foods to Lower Cholesterol
Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor and Pravachol are all cholesterol lowering drugs. However, did you realize they all come with a
long list of side effects with a few being:
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Memory loss and confusion
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Infertility
- Dizziness
- Liver and kidney problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Permanent nerve damage
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
Statins have even been known to reduce cholesterol too much. Yes, we actually need cholesterol and too little cholesterol may raise our risk of stroke and cardiac issues. In fact, too little cholesterol may also lead to lower libido as sex hormones become limited in production. It is curious that in the midst of the continuing rise of statin drugs, there has also been skyrocketing sales of erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra...
Try the no-side-effect way and consider adding these foods to your diet to help lower your cholesterol:
Beans- full of soluble fiber that helps remove LDL (the bad cholesterol) from the blood. One 3/4 cup serving per day can lower LDL levels by as much as 5%.
Oatmeal- also full of soluble fiber to help lower that LDL. Eat 5 to 10 grams per day.
Tea- Green tea or black tea can help lower the "bad" LDL but can also help boost the "good" HDL.
Green and black tea is even full of free-radical fighting antioxidants
Olive Oil- No, our healthy fats do not raise cholesterol--they help lower it! Pick up some Extra Virgin and have 2 tablespoons a day to get the most benefits.
Fish- Two servings of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids in fish such as salmon and sardines have proven to reduce blood pressure.
Of course, adding more veggies, dumping sugar along with taking part in daily exercise will also contribute to a healthier lifestyle and get cholesterol levels where they should be.
