"Bad" Cholesterol The phytosterols, or plant sterols, present in beets, are structurally similar to cholesterol and can help to lower LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol. In the body, phytosterols compete with the cholesterol to decrease the amount of cholesterol absorbed and lower harmful LDL cholesterol.
Red beets also contain phytosterols, chemical structures found in plants very similar to cholesterol, which can help lower the body's cholesterol levels by promoting cholesterol excretion, also decreasing risk of cardiovascular disease. Beets can also help with blood pressure.
Dosage: One of the great things about beet juice is that you can feel the effects in as little as three hours. For the best results, drink one to two cups. And if you're looking for sustained reduction in blood pressure, drink at least that much on a daily basis.
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol.
Eat fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains every day. Avoid foods high in fat, especially saturated fat, such as butter or meat. Look for healthier polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Use oils like sunflower, safflower, canola, olive and corn instead of palm or coconut.
Tisch Center for Women's Health at the NYU Langone Medical Center, says it can take between three to six months to see lower LDL numbers through just diet and exercise, noting that it takes longer to see changes in women than men.
There is no set period in which cholesterol is guaranteed to drop. Cholesterol-lowering drugs usually produce a change in LDL within 6 to 8 weeks. It is possible for lifestyle changes to change cholesterol levels within weeks. However, it may take longer, usually about 3 months — sometimes more.
Beetroot juice plays an important role in opening the blood vessels and also increases the flow of oxygen throughout the body which makes you feel more energetic and active. This is the reason why it is advisable to drink beetroot juice in the morning to help your sleepy organs wake up.
Beet is linked to the improvement of a variety of conditions, especially for anemia. While there are no official guidelines on recommended daily intake, a cup of beet juice a day is typically harmless. According to a study, daily intake of 8.4 ounces of juice lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Reduce the consumption of saturated fats, primarily found in red meat and full-fat dairy products. It can help to reduce your LDL cholesterol. Eliminate trans fats that raise overall cholesterol levels. These are found in fast foods, packaged chips, cookies and bakery items.
Beetroots have high nitrate content and might cause nitrate poisoning in infants if given directly. They should be avoided in infants aged three months or below. Before using beetroot for any health effects, talk to your doctor or physician about any precautions you might need to take.
A shot of beetroot juice can boost blood flow, reduce arterial stiffness and boost nitrate absorption nine-fold, a study from the University of the Sunshine Coast has found. And that's good news for those hoping to avoid cardiovascular disease.
If you have high cholesterol, you're also at higher risk for heart disease. But the good news is, it's a risk you can control. You can lower your “bad” LDL cholesterol and raise your “good” HDL cholesterol.
Completely reversing it isn't possible yet. But taking a statin can reduce the risk of complications from atherosclerosis. It fights inflammation, which stabilizes the plaque.
Exercise can lower your LDL cholesterol up to 15% and raise your HDL level up to 20%. You'll see a difference after a few months. You'll see changes in your LDL level after just 3-6 months of exercising regularly. It takes longer to see a difference in HDL.
Eating too much saturated fat or trans fats can result in unhealthy cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in fatty cuts of meat and full-fat dairy products. Trans fats are often found in packaged snacks or desserts.
Low intake of foods containing fibre – foods that are high in dietary fibre, particularly soluble fibre, can reduce the amount of bad (LDL) cholesterol in your blood. Include fibre-containing foods in your diet by choosing vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds every day.
Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits.
These fruits are rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that lowers LDL.
While coffee does not contain cholesterol, it can affect cholesterol levels. The diterpenes in coffee suppress the body's production of substances involved in cholesterol breakdown, causing cholesterol to increase. Specifically, coffee diterpenes may cause an increase in total cholesterol and LDL levels.
Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
Honey has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 6%, triglyceride levels by 11%, and potentially boost HDL (good) cholesterol levels.