• The key to reducing cholesterol is promoting HDL cholesterol levels, or good cholesterol levels
• Natural cholesterol lowering supplements as a part of a low cholesterol diet can help improve bad cholesterol dramatically and without costly prescriptions or strenuous workout plans
• Extra-virgin olive oil, black-eyed peas and beef liver are only a few of these bizarre and all-natural ways to cutting high cholesterol and reducing your total cholesterol levels
• Other naturally effective cholesterol lowering aids can be found in products like Cholest Solve 24/7, Garlic and Ginger.

Before you have to start taking expensive cholesterol lowering medications, you might want to try a diet for high cholesterol first. Changing some of your eating habits and adding certain types of foods to your menu can be good ways to bring down those total cholesterol levels in a natural way. Plus, you won’t have to worry so much about harmful side effects. Of course, some foods on this list may seem a little bit unusual. Here are ten examples in a countdown order.

10. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Oils, like fats, are usually considered forbidden in most heart healthy diets. However, extra virgin olive oil is fairly remarkable in that it contains powerful antioxidants that can lower your LDL cholesterol levels effective. And you only need about two tablespoons per day.

9. Honey
Honey, which might seem a tasty no-no for most diets, is rich in lecithin. While recommended by some for lowering cholesterol, research has not shown a lot of promise in this area. Adding it to your diet won’t cause any harm but don’t rely on it as your sole method of reducing cholesterol. If you’re not a fan of honey, you can find lecithin in egg yolks and soybeans, too.

8. Spinach
Popeye may have adored spinach because it helped him build strong muscles but medical experts love it today because it can help reduce the effects of high cholesterol. A pigment known as lutein is found in the vegetable and has been shown to help keep artery walls free from plague build-up.

7. Brazilian Nuts
Although they are high in calories, brazilian nuts can help your cholesterol numbers. Both contain good amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are not only good for improving your cholesterol numbers but are important for the health of your arteries. Remember to eat them in moderation.

6. Black Eyed Peas
Black eyed peas aren’t just a good side dish for a New Year’s Day meal. They are also high in fiber and low in fat which means they are a great addition to low cholesterol diets. Adding them to meals as a protein substitute is also a good idea. Unlike red meat, black eyed peas are lower in saturated fat which is one of the leading contributors to high LDL levels.

5. Beef Liver
While most red meats should be avoided, beef liver is a good choice because it is rich in vitamin B3. Also known as niacin, vitamin B3 has long been known to increase levels of HDL cholesterol in the body. In fact, it can raise good HDL cholesterol by as much as 35%. Because niacin in high doses can have some significant side effects, you should work with your physician to identify the appropriate dose for your health.

4. Avocados
Long thought to only be useful for making guacamole, avocados are now considered an important addition to a low cholesterol diet for two reasons. First, they contain beta-sitosterol which prevents the absorption of cholesterol by the intestines. Second, they contain monounsaturated fats which help increase your HDL levels.

3. Figs

Figs are also a great choice for fighting cholesterol because they are high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol and causes it to be removed from the body with other types of waste. To increase your soluble fiber levels, add some figs to your favorite oatmeal in the morning.

2. Margarine
Once upon a time, margarine was believed to be a bad cholesterol food, too. Of course, that’s when most margarine contained trans-fat. Today, most of the leading margarine makers have begun adding plant sterols to their products. Like the chemicals found in avocadoes, plant sterols block the absorption of cholesterol in the body.

1. And The Most Bizzare Food is… Fugu Fish
If fugu fish is not familiar to you, you might recognize it by the more common name: the puffer fish. Although these fish are a delicacy in Japan, they can be deadly if not prepared correctly. Every year, people die and are hospitalized every year thanks to this fish. However, if you dare to take the risk, the delicious puffer can help lower your cholesterol because it is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids.

And if you can’t seem to get your hands on any of these cholesterol lowering wonder foods, you can also try any of the following all-natural dietary supplements proven to help lower cholesterol: Cholest Solve 24/7, Garlic or Ginger.

Cholesterol Diets15 Jan 2009