High cholesterol: Doctor recommends lipid-lowering fruit to patients to reduce levels
Soluble fibre is an important dietary component for healthy cholesterol
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While statins play a crucial role in treating high cholesterol, dietary choices remain equally important in managing the condition.
A board-certified expert, Dr Hassan, has identified three specific foods that could help tackle high cholesterol levels naturally, including berries.
The condition, though symptomless, can lead to serious complications if fatty molecules build up on artery walls and cause an obstruction.
Oatmeal tops Dr Hassan's list of cholesterol-fighting foods thanks to its impressive soluble fibre content.
Dr Hassan recommends the foods to his patients and parents
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"I eat it every single day and tell my parents and my patients to eat it every single day," says Dr Hassan, who prefers mixing it into protein shakes.
The expert explained that oatmeal provides one to two grams of soluble fibre, helping to "bind bile acids which then decrease cholesterol in your body naturally".
Current guidelines recommend consuming 20 to 35 grams of daily fibre, with at least five to 10 grams of soluble fibre.
Nuts are the second recommendation on Dr Hassan's list of cholesterol-lowering foods.
"I tell my parents and patients to always have some kind of nuts, a mix would be best," the expert advised.
According to Dr Hassan, nuts are particularly beneficial due to their combination of nutrients, fibre and protein content.
Berries round out Dr Hassan's trio of cholesterol-fighting foods thanks to their powerful antioxidant properties.
"Get your berries in, it doesn't matter if they're strawberries, blueberries, pink berries, get some berries in," advised the expert.
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Berries contain an abundance of antioxidant
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The expert highlights the fruit's crucial role in cardiovascular health, explaining that their antioxidants help reduce free radicals in the body that can lead to blood clots and heart attacks.
Dr Hassan emphasised that berries are particularly important for their protective properties. He noted: "Berries have antioxidants, so they reduce the amount of free radicals in the body, which lead to blood clots which cause heart attacks."
Together, oats, berries and nuts help manage cholesterol levels through different mechanisms when incorporated into an overall healthy diet.
In some cases, however, they may need to be consumed alongside medical treatment to support healthy cholesterol management.
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