Oats and High Cholesterol

Oats are a superb source of vital nutrients and powerful antioxidants. Some of them can be stated as selenium, magnesium, manganese etc. Oats are rich source of beta glucan, which is a specific kind of dietary fiber. Several researches and studies have proved that any diet which is high in beta-glucan, helps a lot in reducing LDL i.e. bad cholesterol.

Several diseases are caused due to high levels of bad cholesterol. Some of the diseases caused due to bad cholesterol include hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke, heart failure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes etc.

Oats are very beneficial for heart patients as well as the diabetics because they stabilize blood sugar levels. Some studies reveal that bad cholesterol level had gone down by 8-23 % in people who suffered from high cholesterol, and whose cholesterol levels were more than 220mg/dl, when such people consumed 3 grams of soluble oat fiber daily.

To get 3 grams of soluble oat fiber you need to consume one bowl of oatmeal. Even FDA has approved that oats are effective in lowering bad cholesterol. Apart from reducing bad cholesterol, oatmeal also reduces your weight by burning fats.

The antioxidant selenium contained in oats is very effective in thinning your blood. Thus oats provide you protection against hypertension. Oatmeal also gives you the feeling of fullness, thus you don’t crave to eat more and eventually you observe weight loss. It is very effective in reducing belly fat too.

Apart from selenium, oats are also rich in another powerful antioxidant known as avenathramides. Some studies state that this antioxidant fights chronic inflammation which occurs on the walls of your arteries. If this inflammation is not cured timely it can lead to a dangerous condition of the arteries known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is mostly caused due to smoking.

According to the US government’s Dietary Guidelines, adults need to consume half of their grains as whole grains which you can get from oatmeal and whole wheat.

To control your high cholesterol, consume oats and foods rich in fiber. Consumption of high fiber diet should also be accompanied with intake of plenty of water and regular exercise. Try to remain physically active to fight against high cholesterol.