'I'm a doctor - if I had high cholesterol I'd eat these 4 foods'
Daily Record • • health
Key Points:
- High cholesterol affects about two in five UK adults and significantly raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes by causing blockages in blood vessels.
- Dr. Karan Rajan recommends stocking four key foods—berries, seeds, beans and lentils, and oats—that can naturally help reduce cholesterol levels through their beneficial compounds and fibers.
- Berries contain polyphenols that increase bile acid production and limit LDL oxidation, while seeds provide healthy fats that reduce cholesterol absorption and liver fat synthesis.
- Beans and lentils offer fermentable fibers and plant proteins that enhance LDL clearance and reduce liver cholesterol production, and oats contain beta-glucan, a prebiotic fiber that binds bile acids to lower LDL cholesterol.
- The NHS advises increasing intake of oily fish, healthy oils, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables, while reducing consumption of unhealthy fats to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.