Researchers have found that skim milk may work to reduce LDL cholesterol if you drink two to three glasses per day. In twelve weeks, your cholesterol may go down as much as 8%.
Garlic
Large doses of raw garlic can reduce cholesterol levels dramatically. However, eating raw garlic can cause you to be left out of your social circle and garlic that has the odor taken out with heat doesn’t work in lowering cholesterol levels. But the news is good. A new garlic extract from Japan called, Kyolic, has been found to lower cholesterol levels substantially.
Psyllium
Psyllium seeds are rich in fiber, much like the fiber supplement, Metamucil. Psyllium has been found to lower cholesterol. One teaspoon of Metamucil in a glass of water three times a day can lower cholesterol levels as much as 15% in eight weeks.
Coffee
Coffee can increase LDL cholesterol. So, if your cholesterol levels are high, cut coffee out of your diet. A study done in Texas showed that people who drank more than two cups of coffee a day tended to have higher cholesterol levels. Coffee that was made with a coffee maker and run through a filter did not raise cholesterol levels as much as coffee that had been percolated. Though researchers are not sure what ingredient in coffee raises cholesterol levels, they do know it isn’t caffeine.
Smoking
Quit smoking. As few as twenty cigarettes a week can substantially increase cholesterol levels. Smokers do not have sufficient levels of HDL to help their bodies fight LDL cholesterol. If you butt out, your cholesterol levels will lower rapidly.
Relax
Stress is a major factor in raising LDL cholesterol levels, so learn to relax. Set at time aside each day, even if it is only fifteen minutes, to enjoy some quiet time and get some rest and relaxation.
Battling High Cholesterol
The following items are believed to lower blood cholesterol levels.
Tea
The tannins found in tea can help you to control cholesterol levels. Studies have found that people who drink tea and maintain a low fat diet experienced drops in cholesterol levels to within the normal range.