Omega-3 and fish oil supplements are available. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. Almonds and other tree nuts can improve blood cholesterol. Studies have shown that walnuts, which have omega-3 fats, may help protect the heart and lower the risk of heart attack for people who already have heart disease.

All nuts are high in calories, so a handful added to a salad or eaten as a snack will do. Avocados are a good source of nutrients as well as monounsaturated fatty acids MUFAs. Research suggests that the fiber from avocados can improve HDL cholesterol levels and the quality of LDL cholesterol.

Adding two servings of avocado per week to a heart-healthy diet can lower your risk of heart disease. People tend to think of avocados in guacamole, which often is eaten with high-fat corn chips.

Try adding avocado slices to salads and sandwiches or eating them as a side dish. Also try guacamole with raw cut vegetables, such as cucumber slices. Replacing saturated fats, such as those found in meats, with MUFAs are part of what makes the Mediterranean diet heart healthy.

Try using olive oil in place of other fats in your diet. You can saute vegetables in olive oil, add it to a marinade or mix it with vinegar as a salad dressing.

You can also use olive oil as a substitute for butter when basting meat or as a dip for bread. Extra virgin olive oil also reduces the risk of heart attacks. Sterols and stanols are substances found in plants that help block the absorption of cholesterol.

Foods that have been fortified with sterols or stanols are available. Margarines and orange juice with added plant sterols can help lower LDL cholesterol. It's not clear whether food with plant sterols or stanols lowers your risk of heart attack or stroke — although experts assume that foods that lower cholesterol do cut the risk.

Plant sterols or stanols don't appear to affect levels of triglycerides or of high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol. Whey protein, which is found in dairy products, may account for many of the health benefits attributed to dairy. Studies have shown that whey protein given as a supplement lowers both LDL and total cholesterol as well as blood pressure.

You can find whey protein powders in health food stores and some grocery stores. Getting the full benefit of these foods requires other changes to your diet and lifestyle.

One of the most helpful changes is limiting the saturated and trans fats you eat. Saturated fats — such as those in meat, butter, cheese and other full-fat dairy products — raise your total cholesterol. Trans fats, sometimes listed on food labels as "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil," are often used in margarines and store-bought cookies, crackers and cakes.

Trans fats raise overall cholesterol levels. The Food and Drug Administration banned the use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in processed foods sold after January 1, There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

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By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing! Foods that are higher in saturated fat may be high in cholesterol. Choose foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium salt , and added sugars. These foods include lean meats; seafood; fat-free or low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt; whole grains; and fruits and vegetables.

Eat foods naturally high in fiber, such as oatmeal and beans black, pinto, kidney, lima, and others , and unsaturated fats, which can be found in avocados, vegetable oils like olive oil, and nuts.

Find healthy, seasonal recipes at the Million Hearts ® healthy recipes page. Maintain a healthy weight Talk with your doctor about what a healthy weight is for you.

Last Reviewed: May 16, Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion , Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. home Cholesterol Home. Other DHDSP Web Sites. Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Stroke Heart Disease High Blood Pressure Million Hearts ® WISEWOMAN Program.

Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. McManus says that because eggs are such a good source of nutrients, it's okay to have as many as four yolks a week and whites as often as you like. She also gives a nod to red meat, shrimp, lobster, high-fat cheeses, butter, and organ meats—but only to small portions of each one every couple of weeks or so.

Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids help lower LDL. Most plant-derived oils, including canola, safflower, sunflower, olive, grapeseed, and peanut oils, contain both. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, herring, and mackerel , seeds, nuts, avocados and soybeans are also great sources.

Fruits and vegetables have scads of ingredients that lower cholesterol—including fiber, cholesterol-blocking molecules called sterols and stanols, and eye-appealing pigments. The heart-healthy list spans the color spectrum—leafy greens, yellow squashes, carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, plums, blueberries.

As a rule, the richer the hue, the better the food is for you. Whole grains are another good source of fiber. Instead of refined flour and white rice, try whole-wheat flour and brown or wild rice. Old-fashioned oatmeal is also a good choice, but not the quick-cooking versions, which have had much of the fiber processed out.

And don't substitute sugar for fat. Food manufacturers may boost the sugar content of low-fat salad dressings and sauces to add flavor.

If you see sugar, corn syrup, or any word ending in "ose" near the top of the list of ingredients, choose a higher-fat version without trans fats instead. All fats , whether good or bad, have nine calories per gram—about calories a tablespoon.

While you switch to a heart-healthy diet you may need to keep tabs on your calorie intake for a while. For more information, check out "11 foods that lower cholesterol.

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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Although public pressure has forced the food industry to phase out trans fats, they haven't disappeared entirely. To avoid eating them inadvertently, scrutinize the labels on food packages before you put them in your shopping cart.

If you see "partially hydrogenated" in the list of ingredients, pass that product by. If trans fats aren't banned from restaurants in your area, ask if the cook uses partially hydrogenated oil before you order. Saturated fats and dietary cholesterol, which are derived primarily from animal products, aren't exactly heart-healthy, but it's all right to eat them in small amounts.

McManus says that because eggs are such a good source of nutrients, it's okay to have as many as four yolks a week and whites as often as you like. She also gives a nod to red meat, shrimp, lobster, high-fat cheeses, butter, and organ meats—but only to small portions of each one every couple of weeks or so.

Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids help lower LDL. Most plant-derived oils, including canola, safflower, sunflower, olive, grapeseed, and peanut oils, contain both. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, herring, and mackerel , seeds, nuts, avocados and soybeans are also great sources.

Fruits and vegetables have scads of ingredients that lower cholesterol—including fiber, cholesterol-blocking molecules called sterols and stanols, and eye-appealing pigments. The heart-healthy list spans the color spectrum—leafy greens, yellow squashes, carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, plums, blueberries.

As a rule, the richer the hue, the better the food is for you. Whole grains are another good source of fiber. Instead of refined flour and white rice, try whole-wheat flour and brown or wild rice. Old-fashioned oatmeal is also a good choice, but not the quick-cooking versions, which have had much of the fiber processed out.

And don't substitute sugar for fat. Food manufacturers may boost the sugar content of low-fat salad dressings and sauces to add flavor.

If you see sugar, corn syrup, or any word ending in "ose" near the top of the list of ingredients, choose a higher-fat version without trans fats instead. All fats , whether good or bad, have nine calories per gram—about calories a tablespoon.

While you switch to a heart-healthy diet you may need to keep tabs on your calorie intake for a while. For more information, check out "11 foods that lower cholesterol. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. The numbers in the parentheses 1, 2, 3 are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Men and women may experience different symptoms of a heart attack. Coronary heart disease CHD is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States. Learn about the causes and risks factors of CHD.

Follow these tips to prevent heart disease. Discover 28 ways to power up, wind down, and have fun — all in the name of a healthy heart. Work these heart-healthy habits into your lifestyle.

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 10 Natural Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol Levels. Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — By Matthew Thorpe, MD, PhD and Karen Lamoreux — Updated on December 7, Eat monounsaturated fats Use polyunsaturated fats Limit trans fats Eat soluble fiber Exercise Keep a healthy weight Avoid smoking Drink in moderation Consider plant sterols Try supplements FAQ Takeaway Limiting saturated fats in your diet, along with getting regular exercise and engaging in other healthy practices, may help lower the amount of low-density lipoprotein LDL in your blood.

Focus on monounsaturated fats. Prioritize polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3s. Limit trans fats. Eat soluble fiber. Maintain a healthy-for-you weight. Avoid smoking. Consume alcohol in moderation. Consider plant sterols and stanols.

Try supplements. Frequently asked questions. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Dec 7, Written By Matthew Thorpe, Karen Lamoreux. Oct 12, Written By Matthew Thorpe, Karen Lamoreux. Share this article. Check the nutrition facts. Eliminate trans fats. Substitute your oils. Eat fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Quit smoking. Take medication.

How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Nov 27, Written By Rachel Barclay.

Aug 10, Medically Reviewed By Natalie Butler, RD, LD. Share this article. Read this next. Where Does Cholesterol Come From?

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