Horizon PT - October 2023

Strengthen Your Heart With These Foods

Your cholesterol levels directly impact your heart health, and with heart disease being the leading cause of death in the U.S., we should all be working toward improving our cholesterol levels. Your LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the “bad” type that can lead to a higher risk of heart disease. The best way to control our LDL cholesterol is through the foods we eat. If you want to keep your cholesterol levels in check and your heart healthy, add more of these foods to your diet. OATMEAL

potassium are also crammed in these crunchy snacks. Nuts have shown significant heart-healthy benefits in numerous studies, including one which proved that just 2 ounces of nuts per day can decrease your LDL cholesterol. GREENS Not every green is a health-boosting superfood, but dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and bok choy all contain lutein and carotenoids, antioxidants that reduce the risk of heart disease. These greens help compact the bile acids in your body and remove cholesterol from your system. BERRIES Delicious and versatile, berries are filled with fiber to help lower cholesterol. Berries also contain numerous antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can benefit your body in countless ways. All fruit is excellent for your health, but berries pack the punch needed to support healthy cholesterol levels. LEGUMES If you’re seeing a common trait here, you realize that soluble fiber is the key to making these foods beneficial for your health! Legumes, which include beans, peas, and lentils, all contain a significant amount of soluble fiber, protein, and minerals. While these foods are incredible for your body, those seeking to lower their cholesterol levels should speak with their doctor first to discover the best course of action for protecting their heart.

Oats contain a significant amount of soluble fiber, which decreases cholesterol absorption into the bloodstream. Start the day right with warm oatmeal, overnight oats, or Cheerios, which are surprisingly made with oats, not wheat! Add fruit on top to boost your fiber intake even more. NUTS

Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and peanuts are rich in monounsaturated and other heart-healthy fats, but minerals like calcium, magnesium, and

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