Foods that Help Lower your Cholesterol | Brooklyn Queens Nursing Home

First of all, it is important to clarify the difference between good and bad cholesterol. LDL is bad cholesterol; it contributes to the building up of plaque which can clog your arteries. This is compared to good cholesterol known as HDL, which helps remove the plaque buildup caused by LDL. Studies show that bad cholesterol is relatively common in seniors, which is why it is so important to take preventative measures to ensure your arteries stay healthy, or else it can lead to a heart attack, stroke, and other heart conditions. Although certain foods contribute to the plaque buildup caused by LDL, certain foods with high amounts of HDL can reverse those effects. For this reason, the dietary department at Brooklyn Queens Nursing Home puts a special emphasis on preparing healthy, low cholesterol foods for their residents. Below are a few delicious foods that can help you get the job done in a natural way:

- Oats. Try to incorporate this LDL-combating food into your breakfast. If plain cooked oats are too bland, try mixing in blueberries, milk, or even maple syrup to give the oats a delicious taste.

- Almonds. A nutrient rich food that is proven to help lower bad cholesterol, the recommended serving is about one handful a day. You can eat them as a snack or topped on your favorite dishes. When choosing which almonds to buy it is best to stay away from sugar coated almonds, or salted almonds.

- Tomatoes. Interestingly enough, tomatoes were only recently found to help lower LDL. Tomatoes are generally available all year round, and can be eaten in many different ways. In fact tomatoes are probably part of your daily eating habits already. If not, try including tomato juice and tomato sauce in your meals, as well as adding tomatoes in your salads, sandwiches and almost any other dish.

- Green tea. Recommended by studies as an excellent natural way to lower your bad cholesterol level. Start by drinking one to two freshly brewed cups of green tea daily. However, note that green tea contains a substantial amount of caffeine, so take that into account if you like to enjoy a nice hot cup before bed.

Brooklyn Queens Nursing Home believes that these four foods represent easy ways to either lower bad cholesterol levels in your body, or prevent it from building up. Studies have even shown that sometimes these foods are better than medication when it comes to lowering LDL levels and breaking down the plaque. As we all know, the heart is one of the most vital organs so it is important to keep it healthy!