*Oats

Highly advertised on television as a powerful cholesterol-lowering agent, the oat is probably the most well-known of these foods. The oats have a deep history in Scotland, where it is the main staple of the Scottish diet. When the Scots settled in Vermont, they brought oats with them. Interestingly enough this background has made Vermont the state that eats the most oats.

The property of oat that helps in the fight against cholesterol is its soluble fiber. Soluble fiber makes it harder for LDL cholesterol to be absorbed in your intestines. Thus there is less externally created cholesterol floating around in your bloodstream. Too much LDL cholesterol can cause some of it to stick and accumulate on your arteries.

Oats are found in a wide variety of foods such as oatmeal cookies, granola bars etc. Oatmeal is the most associated product with oats. If you don’t like oatmeal, many companies are now incorporating oats into cereals and bread. Don’t be afraid to add this powerful food to your arsenal.

*Garlic

This little bulb has been around and used for centuries. The bulb was nailed to doors and hung around necks to ward off vampires and other evil spirits. Some believe that eating the bulb can increase desire or the body’s chi. Garlic is also used heavily in Mediterranean and Chinese cooking, which is probably why you don’t hear much about Chinese vampires.

Of course, the most advertised property of garlic is its cholesterol & blood pressure lowering properties. Garlic is a natural antioxidant. It is thought that it helps prevent the LDLs from building up on the artery walls. Adding garlic as part of a healthy diet can help you lower cholesterol levels as well as help you fight the common cold.

Garlic is available in many forms. It can be eaten raw. Although, it’s resulting tang on the tongue might be a little too much for some people to handle. In cooking, the potency of the smell and taste of garlic is diluted. This results in a more palatable concoction for most people. It can also be taken in powder or pill form as part of a supplement.

*Onions

It is hard to talk about garlic without mentioning its close relative, the onion. Even more widely used than garlic, it was frequently consumed in ancient times. One of its most stunning purposes was that the onion was used to pay rent.

The onion is a source of chromium and B6 vitamins. Both sources are linked to lowering cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease. Along with its cholesterol lowering properties, the onion has other benefits including lowering the risk of cancer.

Fortunately, there are only two ways to eat an onion, raw or cooked. With such a wide variety of onions available, it is relatively easy to find a variety that suits your taste buds. If you don’t like the sharp taste of stronger onions, try one of the sweet varieties or use it as seasoning in your food.

*Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is another extremely powerful fighterin the war against high cholesterol. Produce mainly in Greece, Homer once stated that olive oil was liquid gold. The highly valued oil holds a high place for use in religious ceremonies. Perhaps its most unusual use was a mouthwash for bad breath.

Olive oil contains a high levels of monounsaturated fats. These fats help control your LDL cholesterol levels. By simply replacing your regular cooking oil, you can control the amount of bad fats that you are consuming.

Olive oil is widely available and easily obtained. Many companies are jumping on the ‘health train’ and using olive oil in their salad dressings and mayonnaise. The pill version of olive oil is available to take as well.

*Primrose Oil

The primrose is one of the native plants of North and South America. The pretty yellow flowers open at night instead of during the day. Once it was known as Kings cureall, For its variety of unsubstantiated healing properties.

Primrose oil provides essential fatty acids to the cholesterol lowering equation. Primrose oil is also known to relieve eczema and ease the symptoms associated with PMS.

Primrose oil is available in pill form as a dietary supplement. You can find it in grocery stores and drug stores.

The fight against high cholesterol is a constant battle. These powerful foods are merely aids to help you drop those numbers. When used in conjunction with a healthy diet, these foods can help you win the battle with high ldl cholesterol.