chia seed
At this point, medical research has proven beyond a doubt that elevated cholesterol levels are not healthy and are often a primary cause of heart disease and other fatal illness. Read further to learn about the Cholesterol lowering abilities of Chia seed and proper diet.
But, before discussing the cholesterol lowering foods and the benefits of Chia seed, you need a basic understanding of what cholesterol is.
Cholesterol consists of a group of five Lipoproteins. Of these five, two, HDL and LDL, get most of the attention of the press and medical professionals.
HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) is known as “good” cholesterol because high levels have been shown to provide some protection from heart disease while insufficient amounts have been shown to increase the risk of heart diseases. Recently, new studies have suggested that high levels of HDL also protect against cancer.
LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) is considered the “bad” cholesterol because elevated levels cause an accumulation of plaque in the arteries that will narrow the artery, form clots and cause heart attack or stroke.
Diet is the key factor in determining cholesterol levels. If your diet has too much food that is high in saturated fats you run the risk of having elevated cholesterol levels. Generally, these foods are anything that comes from animals and animal products. Some examples are:
- egg yolks
- meat
- high fat dairy products
The good news is there are also foods that can do a great deal to lower your cholesterol levels. Adding these foods, and Chia seed, to your normal diet will do wonders to help you maintain a healthy cholesterol level.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the five top cholesterol lowering foods are:
- Foods high in bran and fiber – Examples are Oatmeal, Oat bran, Kidney Beans, Pears, and Apples.
- Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids – Examples are species such as Salmon, Halibut, Herring, Trout and Mackerel (2 servings weekly).
- Hard nuts – Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans. Eat just a handful as nuts are very high in calories. Choose the type without salt or sugar.
- Olive Oil – Especially extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO).
- Food with additional Plant Sterols or Stanols – Margarines, Orange Juice, Yogurt.
Creating a diet from these foods will help reduce your cholesterol levels over time but you can accelerate the process by adding Chia seed to your diet plan as well.
Chia Seed Helps Lower Cholesterol
Adding chia seed to your diet as an additional source of omega-3 fatty acids will greatly assist in lowering cholesterol and promoting overall health. In addition to offering a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, Chia seed also provides a great deal of antioxidants that are critical to healthy organs and joints. For even more nutritional benefits, Chia seed brings vital minerals such Selenium, Phosphorus, Protein, Fiber, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, and Calcium.
A simple blood test is all that’s required to determine whether your cholesterol is too high or not. See your doctor and have the test done as soon as you can. You will probably find that, if your cholesterol is too high, it can be controlled with diet choices like those above and exercise.
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A report issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) makes the claim that two-thirds of American adults who are suffering from high cholesterol as well as fifty percent who have symptoms of hypertension are not receiving effective treatment. This lack of treatment for both ailments significantly increases these individual’s risk of heart attacks or stroke.
