Does Oatmeal Lower Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a white, powdery substance that is found in all human cells. Cholesterol is an essential nutrient necessary for many functions in the body. In order to make it possible for cholesterol, which is made in the liver, to travel in the bloodstream, it is coated with a layer of protein, creating a lipoprotein.

Cholesterol is therefore part and parcel of the human physiology. Without it the body can not continue in a living form. Linked to cholesterol we find lipids. Cholesterol is only one of several lipids (fats) circulating in the blood stream. Due the fact that blood is mainly consisting of water, and it is necessary for cholesterol and triglycerides to circulate through the blood and it cannot be carried by the water-based blood without assistance, the cholesterol and triglycerides must be carried by protein packages called apoproteins.

Lipids and apoproteins are combined into lipoprotein. Lipoproteins in turn are divided into two types; Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), which is known as "bad cholesterol". LDL provides cholesterol for necessary body functions, but in excess promotes potentially damaging cholesterol accumulation in the artery walls. The second Lipoprotein type is High-density Cholesterol (HDL), generally known as "good cholesterol". HDL tends to help remove excess Cholesterol from your blood. Therefore, a relatively low ratio of LDL to HDL is desirable for lowering your risk for development of coronary artery disease. It is therefore the good vs. the bad - the good cholesterol and the bad cholesterol.

It is therefore also quite clear that the bad cholesterol or lipids should be kept under control. If not the LDL cholesterol level would increase which could cause serious heart and coronary problems which could ultimately result in a heart attack or stroke. Over the years many remedies have been found which could be induced to lower and control LDL cholesterol.

Recently another remedy has been added to this long list by researchers - oatmeal. Over the years, there have been many research studies that have proven the benefits of oatmeal in lowering cholesterol levels. The reason is that oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol. Oatmeal is made of ground oats that can be made into a variety of foods, including porridges, cookies, and snacks. Researchers have found that five to 10 grams of soluble fiber a day could decrease LDL cholesterol by about 5 percent. Eating 1.5 cups of cooked oatmeal provides 4.5 grams of fiber - enough to lower cholesterol.

There you have it - one of the first things your physician would advice when you are diagnosed with high cholesterol levels, is to follow a healthy diet. What better way to start your diet and day with a cholesterol- lowering- bowl-of -oatmeal!