Cholesterol control easy with the right choices

Cholesterol control is something you can do easily with the right diet and supplements. Even if your cholesterol levels are good, follow these tips for continued good cholesterol and heart health.

Cholesterol control can be as easy as getting your daily Vitamin C. People who eat diets rich in Vitamin C have been shown to have higher levels of the good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol that helps to reduce the bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Fruits and vegetables are a particularly good source as they also contain pectin, a substance that helps to remove cholesterol from your system. Great choices include apples, pears, tomatoes, strawberries, and spinach.

Cholesterol Control

Another effective method of cholesterol control is Vitamin E. Consuming 400 International Units (IU) per day has been shown to reduce the bad LDL cholesterol while improving the good HDL cholesterol. Vitamin E is found in natural sources such as vegetable oils, nuts, and grains, but you may need to take an additional supplement to reach the 400 IU target. Speak to your doctor before taking Vitamin E or any other supplement.

Garlic has also been demonstrated as an effective form of cholesterol control. While you probably would not eat enough garlic through your diet to attain any benefits to for cholesterol, odorless garlic pills can do the trick. They are available at most health food stores.

A somewhat more controversial form of cholesterol control is alcohol. Studies have shown that one or two drinks a day, particularly red wine, can increase the amount of HDL cholesterol. However, having more than two drinks will increase blood-clotting triglycerides in your system, and will also increase your weight. Further, there are other beverages that can help increase your HDL cholesterol without the potential negative impacts of alcohol consumption, including green tea and grape juice.

Making the right food and beverage choices will ensure you have cholesterol control.