Keeping your heart healthy is essential not just for a longer life but also for leading one that is free from serious health issues. High cholesterol can have adverse effects on your heart health leading to a host of problems, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. But the good news is that you can control your cholesterol with a healthy diet. Here are some best diets for high cholesterol that can help you eat your way to a healthier heart.
The Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet focuses on healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and lean protein, making it a perfect diet for people with high cholesterol. The diet plan emphasizes foods such as olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. It also promotes the consumption of fish, particularly fatty fish like salmon, twice a week, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that are good for your heart health.
The DASH diet
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is a heart-healthy eating regimen designed to reduce high blood pressure. It focuses on eating foods that are low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and salt. The diet comprises fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. Following the DASH diet can reduce your risk of developing heart disease by lowering your cholesterol levels and reducing high blood pressure.
The Plant-Based diet
A plant-based diet is a diet that primarily focuses on plant-based foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. These foods are low in saturated fats, high in fiber and vitamins that are beneficial for your heart health while limiting red and processed meat, dairy, and eggs. Following a plant-based diet can lower your cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
The Portfolio diet
The Portfolio diet is a vegetarian eating plan, known as a cholesterol-lowering diet. It is rich in foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, soy, and almonds, which have been shown to lower cholesterol. This diet restricts intakes of saturated fats, cholesterol, and animal products like red meat, dairy, and eggs. Following this diet can lower LDL cholesterol, the ‘bad’ cholesterol, and reduce the risk for heart disease.
In conclusion, lowering cholesterol levels is crucial to keep your heart healthy. Eating a healthy diet, with any of these diets will help you improve your cholesterol levels and decrease your risk of heart disease. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new diet.