Wednesday, November 4, 2009 | |

5 Foods to Boost Good Cholesterol

This article lists 5 basic foods that can potentially boost your good cholesterol levels. These foods are inexpensive and can be found at any local grocery store.

HDL stands for high density lipoproteins and is often referred to as "good" cholesterol. These proteins transport cholesterol in the blood. If your levels are too high, your risk of heart disease decreases, and likewise, if your levels are low, you risk increases.

There are certain foods that can have a positive effect on your HDL levels. Dark chocolate, salmon, berries, eggs and whole grains are five food items that can help you boost your good cholesterol levels.

A study conducted at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, suggests that eating dark chocolate (the gourmet kind that is 70% cacao) can raise your HDL levels significantly. Eating small daily doses (1/2 ounce) over an extended period of time should help raise your good cholesterol.

According to a Loma Linda University study in California, high density lipoprotein levels rose 4 percent in people who ate two 4-ounce servings of salmon a week for four weeks. Researchers also say that eating other fatty fish, such as, mackerel, herring and sardines should deliver similar benefits.

Eating berries, especially the darker varieties, seem to also help raise HDL levels. It doesn't matter if the berries are fresh or frozen. Eat about a cup of frozen berries a day to crank your levels higher.

Healthy adults who ate a whole egg every day for 12 weeks increased HDL levels as much as 48 percent in a study from Thailand. Eggs are rich in lecithin, which raises your lipoprotein levels.

Don't forget to eat some fiber on a daily basis as well. Eating oats, whole grain and oat bran can also to raise HDL levels.

These foods provide you with a natural way to increase HDL levels. If however your HDL level is very low and your family has a history of heart disease, your doctor might suggest medication as well as improving your diet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Enola_E._Johnson


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