By now we know the drill with cholesterol, right? To stay healthy, we need to limit our “bad” cholesterol – LDL cholesterol – and boost our HDL cholesterol, considered “good” cholesterol.
Like so much else, addressing cholesterol can be easier said than done. Fortunately, the TODAY show’s nutritionist, Joy Bauer, recently filmed a
segment breaking down the differences in cholesterol types and identifying foods that can reduce bad cholesterol and boost good cholesterol.
If your goal is to reduce harmful cholesterol, Joy recommends two foods in particular – lentils, which help cholesterol to leave your body, and pistachios, which help block cholesterol absorption.
If your aim is to build good cholesterol, Joy recommends exercise as a first step, since that alone can bring about a 5-10 percent boost in HDL. Fish – especially those like salmon, sardines and rainbow trout that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids – are also great for building good cholesterol.
As Joy explained, some small changes in lifestyle and eating habits can make a big difference in cholesterol levels, which in turn can have a big impact on overall health. So what are you waiting for?