High Fiber Diet Plan to Lower Cholesterol and Lose Weight
Do you have high cholesterol? Increase your fiber!
Do you have high blood pressure? Increase your fiber!
Are you overweight? Increase your fiber!
What is it with fiber (also known as roughage)? It seems to play a role in just about all our health problems. Well, as far as blood pressure and cholesterol go, dietary fiber binds to cholesterol in circulation and helps remove it from the body. Research has shown that for every 1-2 grams of daily soluble fiber intake, LDL (bad) cholesterol is lowered 1%.
On the weight control side of things, a high fiber diet plan increases satiety (how full you feel), aiding efforts to lose weight and/or maintain a healthy weight.
4 Things You Need to Know to Use Dietary Fiber to Lower Cholesterol:
1. There are two types of fiber.
Fiber Insoluble
Insoluble fiber remains relatively intact as it passes through the digestive system. The primary function of insoluble fiber is to move waste through the intestines and maintain intestinal acid balance.
Fiber Soluble
Soluble fiber is the type of fiber responsible for lowering total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
2. Sources of insoluble fiber
Fruit skins and root vegetable skins
Vegetables (green beans, celery, cauliflower, zucchini, beets, turnips, potato skins, and dark green leafy vegetables)
Wheat and whole-wheat products
Wheat oa
Corn bran
Seeds and nuts
3. Sources of soluble fiber
Oat and oat bran
Legumes (dried beans and peas)
Nuts
Barley, rye
Flaxseed
Fruits (i.e. oranges, apples, prunes, plums, berries)
Vegetables (i.e. carrots, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions)
Psyllium husk
Shoot for 25-35 grams of dietary fiber everyday. Of this, fiber soluble should make up 15 grams. The average US dietary fiber intake is 12-18 grams/day.
If your current diet is very low in dietary fiber, don’t increase to 35 grams overnight. A sudden increase will result in gastrointestinal (stomach) distress and unpleasant side effects (flatulence and diarrhea). You want to increase your fiber intake gradually.
Bottom Line:
Select high fiber foods, especially foods that contain soluble fiber. I once heard a gastroenterologist say he would be out of a job if everyone just ate more beans!
February is American Heart Month. In recognition of American Heart Month you can access Heart Health Made Easy at a 25% savings. Learn more about this take action guide to lower cholesterol and blood pressure at http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD




[...] Do you have high cholesterol? Increase your fiber! Do you have high blood pressure? Increase your fiber! Are you overweight? Increase your fiber! What is it with fiber (also known as roughage)? It seems to play a role in just about all our health problems. Well, as far as blood pressure and cholesterol go, dietary fiber binds to cholesterol in circulation and helps remove it from the body. Research has shown that for every 1-2 grams of daily soluble fiber intake, LDL (bad) cholesterol Lower Cholesterol [...]
[...] Lower Cholesterol and Lose Weight with Fiber. April 13, 2009, 8:00 am. Do you have high cholesterol? Increase your fiber! Do you have high blood pressure? Increase your fiber! Are you overweight? Increase your fiber! … Lower Cholesterol [...]
[...] Do you have high cholesterol? Increase your fiber! Do you have high blood pressure? Increase your fiber! Are you overweight? Increase your fiber! What is it with fiber (also known as roughage)? It seems to play a role in just about all our health problems. Well, as far as blood pressure and cholesterol go, dietary fiber binds to cholesterol in circulation and helps remove it from the body. Research has shown that for every 1-2 grams of daily soluble fiber intake, LDL (bad) cholesterol Lower Cholesterol [...]
[...] Lower Cholesterol and Lose Weight with Fiber [...]
The best information i have found exactly here. Keep going Thank you
Good Morning.
Glad to hear your enjoying your holiday. By any chance do youhave anything on how to raise your thyroid.
I really enjoy your news letters thanks Jack
Hi Jack,
No, I have not focused much on diet changes you can make to raise thyroid hormone production. If I learn of anything I’ll be sure to share with you.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Hi Lisa
Enjoy country fair with girls.Thats nice phots of Kateln and friend Blackie. Thank for sending infomation for lower cholesterol. Thats geart help. ps iam having lower Backpain
Have got anything for that thanks
Hi Hamida,
We had a great time at the fair. Thought I’d be the good mom and take Katelyn on the “big swings” – never again! Actually got motion sick. I do not have tips at this time for dealing with backpain, but if I learn anything useful I’ll be sure to pass the information on to you.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
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