Oats Can Lower Your Cholesterol
As part of a low cholesterol/low saturated fat diet, oatmeal works to remove cholesterol from your body. Just ask the hundreds of people from Colorado, Connecticut and California who have already participated in the Smart Heart Challenge™. During the 30-day Challenge, participants volunteered to eat a bowl of oatmeal daily to prove to themselves how a simple lifestyle change could help reduce cholesterol levels. The result? After 30 days, 70% of the participants lowered their cholesterol with an average drop of about 16 points (mg/dl).
30 Bowls of Oatmeal in 30 Days Produced
a
16 Point Average Drop in Cholesterol !
The proof is in the oatmeal. Challenge participants confirmed in a real-life setting what 40 scientific studies have proven : that eating oatmeal as part of a healthy diet can reduce cholesterol. In fact, the FDA awarded the first ever food specific health claim to oatmeal because of its heart healthy benefits . That is that three grams of soluble fiber from oatmeal daily, in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.
 More on How Oats Work
Think of rolled oats as tiny sponges that soak up cholesterol and carry it out of the bloodstream.
What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver and other cells in the body. Cholesterol has a number of important jobs, including the production of certain hormones as well as the breakdown and digestion of fat. However, sometimes our bodies have too much cholesterol, and this becomes a problem.
Where does the extra cholesterol come from? As we mentioned, cholesterol is made in the body, primarily by the liver. It is also found in foods that come from animals, such as beef, poultry, seafood and dairy products. When the body has more than it needs or more than it can convert into useful purposes, cholesterol levels in the blood can rise. The extra cholesterol can eventually damage and clog arteries which can lead to major health problems, including heart attack and stroke.
Are there foods that actually reduce cholesterol? Yes, one that actively removes cholesterol from your body is OATMEAL. |
