Can you control cholesterol with diet? Why, yes and no. Some cholesterol imbalances do require medical treatment, so it shouldn't be avoided. But it never hurts to give your body some help, even in such cases. So let's look at a few foods that can help your body produce good cholesterol (HDL) and reduce the bad (LDL).
One of the biggies in this regard is Omega-3 oil. You probably already know it's found in cold water fish and fish oils, but it's also found in flax. Have some fish once or twice a week, and toss some ground flax seeds into muffins or salads. However, flax seed oil is very concentrated, so having a teaspoon of that, a couple of times a day, should do the trick. And you'd get the extra benefit of a potent antioxidant too.
Another source of LDL - lowering food is oats. So that bowl of cooked cereal you have every morning may be just the thing to help lower the bad form of cholesterol and help your body produce the good. It isn't just oatmeal either; other soluble fibers like chickpeas and psyllium work the same way.
Garlic and raw onions are also foods that lower bad cholesterol. But of course, both should be used judiciously, unless you're a hermit with no one nearby. It may be better to make a nice salad and a vinaigrette with extra virgin olive oil. That's another cholesterol-lowering source and a great antioxidant. Throw in some chopped walnuts too, for the same reason. And add a moderate glass of red wine after dinner, to continue the good effects.
If your body has a serious cholesterol problem, you can't always rely just on diet to cure it. But for general cholesterol health, there are many ways to give your body a boost. Eat foods that promote good cholesterol, and the bad cholesterol problem may not develop
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