What's Liver & Thyroid got to do with Elevated Cholesterol? Foods to Help!

Cholesterol is always brought out as being the bad guy. However it is not cholesterol as such that is the bad guy.

It is in the foods you are eating that are not sustaining a healthy liver and thyroid. Yes both these organs play a huge role in healthy cholesterol levels.

If you have already commenced changes with your diet of lowering animal fat, trans fats found in processed, packaged and fast foods.

Then you are well on the way to improving your cholesterol levels and will be supporting a healthy liver and thyroid.

Quite often your cholesterol abnormalities will be pointed out to you before any indication of liver or thyroid problems.

Hypothyroidism otherwise known as underactive thyroid can be responsible for elevated cholesterol levels.

Also liver conditions such as fatty liver, psoriasis of the liver and decreased liver function is also responsible for elevated cholesterol levels.

So as you may well see cholesterol medication that works directly on the liver and the liver's production of cholesterol.

It is not going to be a great long term solution to improved cholesterol levels or in preventing further build up of plaque or thyroid or liver problems.

Foods that will Help Lower Cholesterol Whilst Improving Liver and Thyroid Function:
•Oats - Change your morning breakfast to Rolled Oats, not instant just the normal everyday rolled oats. You can have these in the form of porridge or in a muesli mix. Two servings of oats will lower LDL (bad cholesterol levels) by 5.3 % in 6 weeks. Oats can be added as a topping when baking vegetables. The key to this cholesterol buster is a substance called beta-gluten, which absorbs LDL which then your body is able to excrete.
•Red Grapes, blueberries help to lower cholesterol substantially, whilst blueberries also help to slow down the liver's production of cholesterol if that is elevated.
•Omega 3 Fats found in atlantic salmon and sardines help to lower cholesterol levels as well as support a healthy heart.
•Nuts - specifically almonds, walnuts and cashews one to two handfuls per day as a snack, have been found to lower LDL cholesterol by 9.3 %.
•White, Green and Dandelion teas have been found helpful for their antioxidant properties, supporting healthy liver function and lowering blood lipids by 10% in 3 weeks. This is only if the tea is drank without sugar, honey or milk.
•Beans - kidney beans or pinto beans add to soup or a vegetable/salad mix. Lowers LDL cholesterol up to 8% and provides you with great fibre.
•Dark Chocolate - 2 - 3 pieces per day. Helps to build good cholesterol HDL and Lower Bad cholesterol LDL. Great antioxidant properties.
•Olive Oil - the antioxidant-rich polyphenols help protect the LDL “bad” cholesterol from being oxidized in the body.
•Coconut Oil - helps to improve thyroid function and appears to have several effects on the cholesterol profile in the bloodstream, boosting HDL while lowering LDL. The polyphenol content in the oil can also prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, an important step in the development of atherosclerosis.
•Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, kale all are beneficial in supporting a healthy heart, healthy liver and healthy cholesterol.
•Avocado - the humble avocado is probably one of the best foods to lower cholesterol and you only need moderate amounts to reap the benefits. Two to three avocados per week with a diet high in vegetables and fruit with minimal animal protein will give you the best results.
•Kale, spinach, cucumber, ginger and lime are all great for supporting healthy thyroid function as well as seaweed. These vegetables can be included in a green smoothie drink or as a salad.

Plant sterols and stanols are substances that occur naturally in small amounts in many grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Since they have powerful cholesterol-lowering properties it is advantageous to add these to your everyday eating. That why you will find that even though some of these can be still classed as saturated fats due to the fact that they are plant originated the body metabolises these within your digestive track without any build up with your artery walls. The additional benefits are that these sterols have the ability to raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL).

"Always to Remember Food will Always be your Best Medicine"

For a Future of Optimal Health & Vitality

Empowering You to Optimal Health Julie Doherty N.D