Easy Ways to Reduce Your Cholesterol

About 11% of Americans have high cholesterol, a condition associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. If you are 1 of millions of people who struggle to control your cholesterol, it is possible that plant sterols and stanols can help.

This natural and effective option can reduce levels of lipoprotein cholesterol with your low density up to 12%. The best part? Sterol plants and stanol naturally occur in many foods that we eat every day.

Keep reading to learn:

• What is phytosterol and how it works
• What foods contain sterols and stanol
• How can you get more phytosterol in your diet

What is Sterol & Stanol?

Sterol and stanol are in a group of plant compounds known as phytosterol. Naturally produced by plants, phytosterol chemically similar to cholesterol produced by our body.

There are hundreds of different phytosterols, and they often play a major role in the heart health diet. Some studies have shown that phytosterol may also protect you from some cancers and diabetes.

What foods contain phytosterol?

Vegetable food is known as part of a healthy diet. Sterol and stanol already exist in many of these foods. You can also consider it a supplement.

Foods that are naturally high in phytosterol include wheat choices such as bread, pasta, crackers, and cereals. Fruits, vegetables, and nuts are also a great source of phytosterol, as well as some oils, such as olives or sunflowers. Milk and yogurt can also load it. Some foods, such as margarine and juice, add sterols.

As you know, you might have eaten a few sterols and stanol. However, health experts recommend 2 grams of phytosterols per day to reduce your cholesterol. Most of us eat much less than this amount.

To achieve this goal, you can:

• Increase the amount of vegetable food you eat
• Take supplements

One will work. But Note: You must always talk to your provider about whatever supplements you take, including sterols. You don’t want to take something that can interact with your other medicines or cause other health problems.

How sterols & stanol can reduce your cholesterol

Phytosterol is similar to cholesterol produced by your body. That also means they change the way your body is dealing with cholesterol made from the food you eat.

Although it may seem strange that adding more compounds such as cholesterol to your diet reduces your levels, phytosterol actually has a big impact. That’s because they deceive your body to absorb it as cholesterol, and your body gets rid of cholesterol itself as waste, reducing your overall level.

Phytosterol does not seem to have an impact on your high density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HDL).

When to use plant sterols

When you add Phytosterol to your diet, it is a good idea to track how much you eat. If you still fail to reach the daily goal of 2 grams, adding supplements can help. If you decide to take supplements, they seem to work best when brought with food.

Can Sterol Replace Your Cholesterol Medication?

Short answer: no. You should not rely on sterols to replace the cholesterol prescription drug that you are taking. Phytosterol is more effective when used together with prescription drugs. Phytosterol is not an option for people with certain heart conditions.

Outside food

You have a variety of natural ways to reduce your cholesterol. Reducing your cholesterol levels protects your overall heart health. But having a healthy heart also means other things: exercising regularly, stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing your stress level. Another natural choice exists. See more resources in the prevention of heart disease.