Nutritional Factsheet

Keeping your cholesterol level under control is vitally important to the health of your cardiovascular system. High cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke. A healthy eating plan accompanied by nutritional supplements and regular exercise may help to prevent and even control high cholesterol levels.

A heart-healthy diet should include a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, pulses, whole grains and cold-water fatty fish. Meats, butter, margarine, sugar and refined foods should be limited.

There are some ‘superfoods’ that are also available in supplemental form, that have been shown to control cholesterol levels.

Garlic has been shown to reduce overall cholesterol levels as well as reduce platelet aggregation (blood stickiness) –allowing it to flow more freely through the arteries.

Oat bran fibre is a soluble fibre that may lower cholesterol levels when consumed regularly – a great reason for that bowl of porridge on a cold winter’s morning!

Soy isoflavones, found in soya beans, tofu and soya drinks may help in the reduction of cholesterol levels by blocking its absorption, therefore increasing its excretion from the body. Like garlic, isoflavones may also reduce platelet aggregation.

Fish oils such as those found in cold-water fatty fish (sardines, salmon, tuna etc) have been shown to be of great benefit to cardiovascular health. EPA and DHA, the essential fats that they contain have many beneficial actions, including reducing blood fats and reducing platelet aggregation.

Inositol hexanicotinate, commonly called ‘no-flush niacin’, is a form of vitamin B3. In studies, this supplement has been shown to lower total cholesterol, while favourably altering the ratio between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol.