Did you know that there are cholesterol lowering foods? Are you one of those people who have high cholesterol? Are you concerned that you may not be eating a well balanced diet? You may want to consider changing your lifestyle because any overall improvements will help improve your health. Experts recommend that you eat a diet which is high in fiber, fish oils and garlic. These are some food suggestions that you can help you improve your diet for a better cholesterol level.

Soy products

Soy protein or isoflavones and are effective as a cholesterol lowering foods. The recommended daily intake is one to two ounces, or25 grams, of soy will help you lower your bad cholesterol level by about 8% -10%. If you have a high cholesterol level which is about 260-300, if you change your diet will help lower your cholesterol level by 15-20%. You may want to consider eating some of these Soy products which include: beans, soy milk, flour and tofu. You also may want to consider soy drinks and protein bars that contain 10 to 20 grams of soy protein.

Fiber Sources Fruits, Vegetables and Others

Foods that are rich in fiber are considered as cholesterol lowering foods. Fiber is not easily digested. This can help lower ones cholesterol level. The best fruits to eat are berries, oranges, apples, honey dew melon and cantaloupe, and grapefruit are rich in fiber. The best vegetables to eat are carrots, cabbage, beets, spinach,, broccoli and peas are all great sources of fiber. Oats contain a soluble fiber call Glucan which plays a critical role in lowering cholesterol. Whole grains are cholesterol lowering foods because over-processed ones such as white bread are stripped of their fiber content.

Fish

Fish contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which decrease the chances of getting blood clots. Fish is a good source of cholesterol lowering foods because they help you achieve a level of good cholesterol. They also help prevent blood clotting which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Garlic

Studies have shown that garlic is a cholesterol lowering foods. You may want to consider taking odorless coated garlic tablets which will give you the same effect. The small intestine absorbs the garlic. The coating helps the tablet pass through to the small intestine.

You may want to start with looking at cholesterol lowering foods as a part of a healthy regimen to improve your cholesterol level. Exercise will also help. But you need to do both. You need to start eating cholesterol lowering drugs as well as adding exercise into your daily routine. It is best to maintain a healthy routine until your next visit with your physician to see if there is any improvement.

Have you ever had your cholesterol checked? Did you know that cholesterol tests are different from other tests? The test is more specific to calculate the risk of heart disease rather than diagnosing or monitoring it. If you are at risk for heart disease, you most surely want to have advance notice so that you can take medications, improve your diet and exercise so that you live a long and healthy life.

Experts state that hardening of the blood vessels is associated with high cholesterol.  This is due to the LDL cholesterol or low lipoproteins that accumulate in the blood stream and is the main causes of heart disease. As a preventive measure, you should have your cholesterol level checked on a regular basis. It is in your best interest to have it checked regularly.

Experts recommend taking the cholesterol tests every three to five years if they have been diagnosed with high blood cholesterol. This is most generally done in combination of routine physical. Cholesterol tests are usually done with other tests. These include HDL which is the test for good cholesterol and LDL, which is the test for bad cholesterol.

Blood samples are taken and other tests are done to be analyzed by a cholesterol testing device. Cholesterol tests are performed several times a year for those who are on a special diet or low calorie diet and for others who are taking cholesterol medications. Cholesterol tests are done to document the progress in lowering cholesterol.

Generally, if you have taken a cholesterol test you already know that the results are grouped according to:

* Ultimate a cholesterol level of 200 mg or below is desirable because there is a low risk of heart disease.

* Borderline and on the high side– a total cholesterol level of 200 mg to 240 mg is at risk of getting heart disease. If you are in this range, your doctor will more than likely request additional tests are done.

* Red Flagged as High Risk a 240 mg cholesterol level is considered to be at a very high risk of getting heart disease. Your physician will more than likely request additional tests such as a lipid profile. More than likely, you will be given a prescription for cholesterol medication along with the recommendation that you start on a low cholesterol diet.

Cholesterol tests are done when your are healthy because the cholesterol level of an individual who is ill will more than likely be very low. Physicians recommend that you wait at least six to eight weeks after an illness before any tests are done. If you are unsure, speak to your physician directly so that the test will be accurate.

Cholesterol levels are confusing. There is good cholesterol and bad and lipids and many other confusing terms. Are you unsure as to what it all means! You are not alone! There is a wealth of information on the subject but how do you know what is fact and what is fiction?

You may want to take the time to study the subject so that you are clear what is true and what is fiction.

True or False: The elderly are the only ones with high cholesterol.

This is SO not true! You can be in your 20s and have high cholesterol. In fact it is recommended that you have your cholesterol checked on a regular basis. If you have a history of heart disease in your family and or live a sedentary lifestyle and have eat poorly you are at risk. Cholesterol tests should be regularly and at least once in every five to seven years to prevent health problems and avoid health complications in the future.

True or False: I do not have a problem with cholesterol because I am rarely sick and I exercise on a regular basis.

You may not have any symptoms if your cholesterol is too high. If you exercise on a regular basis, that is great but, you could still have a problem with cholesterol. Other factors are diet,your weight, age and gender, family history, and other factors.

True or False: If you take vitamin C and vitamin E which are, known as anti-oxidants, you will not have any problems with cholesterol.

False! There are no guarantees! There are several factors that affect the levels of Cholesterol. Vitamins help but there are other determining factors as well. If you want to get started in reducing your cholesterol level, start eating a healthy diet and start exercising.

True or False: Drinking a glass of red wine on a daily basis with dinner makes you immune to heart disease.

Studies have shown that moderate amounts of red wine will increase HDL. However, alcohol is high in calories and it may cause an increase in triglycerides, which will put undue pressure on the liver, and will increase blood pressure.

True or False: Look for health conscious products that have low cholesterol labels.

No. There are some products that are low in cholesterol however, they may be high in saturated fats.

True or False: You should never try to lower your cholesterol level.

The liver produces enough Cholesterol to perform its functions. If you start living a healthy lifestyle, and start an exercise routine, this will help lower your cholesterol level.

True or False: If you are overweight you are destined to have high cholesterol.

Not necessarily, however, it is a contributing factor. You may have problems with high cholesterol and not even know it. You may want to consider a healthy diet and exercise so that you are on your way to living a long and healthy life.