Clinical guidance
Heart-healthy Foods for Lower Cholesterol
Published January 1, 2022
Clinical guidance
Published January 1, 2022
The short version: fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
That will get you far. It also helps to choose:
You don’t have to totally avoid these foods, but it really helps to limit:
The bottom line with eggs is that they’re OK. Really. Just don't overdo it. They’re a good protein and won’t make a big difference in your cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are the much bigger issue.
A few might be able to, but it’s not clear that they help with heart disease. Plus, the rules and laws around supplements are loose, so you can’t always be sure what’s really in them. If you want to try a supplement, go with one of these:
It’s best to avoid other supplements. There’s just no evidence that they lower cholesterol.
You might see food labels shouting about "sterols" or "stanols" and how they can lower your cholesterol. Both ingredients come from plants and you'll find them in margarines like Promise Activ. Our stance? Don’t buy the hype. They may lower your numbers, but it’s not clear how safe they are or if they really improve heart health.