Can Oatmeal Help To Lower Cholesterol Levels

By HelloLife

What are Oats

Oats are a particular form of cereal grain. Both humans and animals alike eat oats and they're found in many different food products.

Oats and the food we eat

Oats themselves can't make breakfast - they don't have any gluten. They can however be made into other dishes, such as a porridge, or oatmeal. Oats are also a common ingredient in cookies, cold cereal, granola and muesli. Occasionally, oats are used to brew beer, resulting in an oatmeal stout. Oatmeal technically refers to any substance made from rolled, crushed or cut oats, but the term is also more commonly used as a shortened version of oatmeal porridge. Oat bran refers to the outer casing of an oat. The bran is the part of the out that affects LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Oatmeal and Cholesterol

LDL, low-density lipoprotein, is not the only kind of cholesterol. There is also a high-density version, HDL, that is good protein. Both are manufactured by the body, then manipulated in amount by the kinds of food we eat. Both are found circulating the body in the blood plasma. HDL is good because it takes cholesterol out of the arteries and away from the heart, to the liver. LDL is bad because it can lead to coronary disease or complications. LDL, as it circulates, can build up in the arteries if it exists in high levels. As LDL builds up, it forms a substance called a plaque. This causes the arteries to both harden and narrow. If an artery becomes too narrow, it may become clogged. A clogged artery that blocks off blood flow to the heart or brain causes a heart attack or stroke. Another similar, negative substance comes in the form of triglycerides, a body-manufactured fat. These should be avoided as well. They increase when a person suffer from obesity, lack of physical activity, smokes or drinks excessively. They, like bad cholesterol, can also be affected by diet.

Cholesterol and the food we eat

Cholesterol is found in foods with a high fat content. Particularly animal foods, i.e. meats, cheeses, creams, eggs have high fat content. Cholesterol is also found in nuts.

Cholesterol is found in trace amounts in plants, but the amounts of significantly less here.

High cholesterol levels can also run in the family.

Fighting off high cholesterol levels may seem intimidating, but ultimately, a lot of options are now available. The most rudimentary options involve changing one's lifestyle to reduce cholesterol intake and promote general health. This involves cutting back on alcohol, quitting smoking, taking up physical exercise, and being more careful about what you eat.

That's where oatmeal comes in

Oat bran, garlic, artichokes, cayenne pepper, reishi mushrooms and many other natural foods all have been proven to either reduce bad cholesterol levels, increase good cholesterol levels, or strengthen the circulatory and/or immune systems. Since it's hard to always eat in most heart-healthy of ways, taking a supplement containing these things can greatly affect cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.

Photo Credit: iateapie