5 Foods That May Help Lower Cholesterol

Gina’s father had a physical shortly after his 80^th birthday. Though he was generally healthy, the doctor advised that his cholesterol levels were high. Gina knew a little about high cholesterol. She knew that it could cause blockages in her dad’s arteries and that could lead to a heart attack or stroke. One of the ways that the doctor suggested he could lower his cholesterol levels was by changing his diet. Gina conducted some research and was surprised to find that there are actually foods her father could eat that would bring his cholesterol levels down. Here are 5 of the foods Gina added to her dad’s diet to help lower his cholesterol.

1. Oats.

The soluble fiber found in oats helps reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood. Soluble fiber works by keeping the body from absorbing cholesterol from food. Aim for between 5 and 10 grams of soluble fiber per day. Experts suggest that one easy way to add more soluble fiber to your parent’s diet is to serve oatmeal for breakfast. A serving of oatmeal contains around 4 grams of fiber. Liven up the taste by adding some berries, which will also increase the amount of fiber.

2. Nuts.

There is a great deal of research that shows eating nuts is good for the heart. Eating just 2 ounces of nuts per day can lower cholesterol by about 5 percent.

3. Fatty Fish.

Fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help to protect the heart by lowering triglycerides and preventing arrhythmias. They can also help to lower cholesterol levels by taking the place of red meats in the diet. Red meats contain saturated fats, which raise cholesterol.

4. Avocados.

In addition to containing many nutrients, avocados also contain monounsaturated fatty acids, which have protective qualities. Studies show that eating an avocado a day can lower bad cholesterol levels in people who are overweight. Try adding slices of avocado to salads and sandwiches or spreading mashed avocado on toast.

5. Soy.

Soy and foods made from soy, like tofu and soy milk, can help to lower bad cholesterol. Although people once thought that soy had amazing effects on cholesterol, recent research indicates it’s not quite that powerful. Still, eating about 25 grams of soy protein per day could help your parent to reduce their cholesterol by around 5 percent.

Senior care can help older adults to improve their diet and add cholesterol lowering foods. Senior care providers can help your elderly parent to plan healthy meals. They can even drive them to the grocery store and help carry the heavy bags. Senior care providers can also prepare healthy meals and snacks, even making some ahead of time for the older adult to warm up later.

If you or someone you know needs help with senior care in Rockford, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.

Sources

https://www.goredforwomen.org/live-healthy/first-steps-to-prevent-heart-disease-and-be-heart-healthy/lower-cholesterol-with-diet-foods/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/11-foods-that-lower-cholesterol

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol/art-20045192

https://medlineplus.gov/howtolowercholesterolwithdiet.html

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Gauthier Family Home Care

Owner at Gauthier Family Home Care

Call (616) 258-2300. Gauthier Family Home Care exists to provide options for our clients to retain their independence in their own homes, improve their quality of life and support their extended families. We will accomplish that by providing compassionate, professional caregivers who will nurture, stimulate, and cater to each client’s specific needs without fail.

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