NHS says these five foods could help 'lower your cholesterol'

NHS says these five foods could help 'lower your cholesterol' Here are some simple changes you can make to your diet to lower your risk of heart attacks and strokes Eating more of five certain foods could help “lower your cholesterol”, according to the NHS. There are also specific foods you should avoid for the same reason. High cholesterol, also referred to as hypercholesterolemia, is a major concern across the UK, with roughly two in five adults believed to be living with the condition - many potentially unaware. It occurs when there's an excess of cholesterol - a fatty, waxy substance - in your bloodstream. Over time, this can lead to blockages and substantially increase the risk of medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes. One of the primary causes of high cholesterol is an unhealthy diet, especially one rich in saturated fat. This is emphasised by the NHS on its website, which said: “To reduce your cholesterol, try to cut down on fatty food, especially food that contains a type of fat called saturated fat. You can still have foods that contain a healthier type of fat called unsaturated fat.” As part of its advice, the health body recommends eating more of the following foods: - Oily fish, like mackerel and salmon - Olive oil, rapeseed oil and spreads made from these oils - Brown rice, wholegrain bread and wholewheat pasta - Nuts and seeds - Fruits and vegetables On top of this, if you have high cholesterol, you should also cut back on meat pies, sausages and fatty meat, butter, lard and ghee, cream and cheese, cakes and biscuits, and food that contains coconut oil or palm oil. But there are other lifestyle changes you can make to lower your cholesterol, as noted by the NHS. Exercise The NHS says you should aim to do “at least” 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. This could include: - Walking – try to walk fast enough so your heart starts beating faster - Swimming - Cycling Stop smoking As reported by the NHS, smoking can raise your cholesterol and make you more likely to have serious problems like heart attacks, strokes and cancer. If you want to stop smoking, you can get help and support from your GP, or NHS stop smoking services. Cut down on alcohol The NHS urges people to avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week on a regular basis, spread their drinking over three or more days if they regularly drink as much as 14 units a week, and have several drink-free days each week. If you’re worried about your cholesterol levels, you should speak to your GP. They might prescribe you a medication known as statins to help lower levels.