As part of a low cholesterol, low
saturated fat diet, oatmeal works to remove cholesterol from your
body. Just ask the hundreds of people from Colorado, Connecticut and
California who have already participated in the Smart Heart
Challenge TM. During the 30-day Challenge, participants volunteered
to eat a bowl of oatmeal daily to prove to themselves how a simple
lifestyle change could help reduce cholesterol levels. The result?
After 30 days, 70% lowered their cholesterol, with an average drop
of about 16 points (mg/dl)
|
|
30 days. 30 bowls of oatmeal. An
Average of 16 Points Lost.
(And plenty of new perspectives gain)
The proof
is in the oatmeal. Challenge participants confirmed in a real-life
setting what 40 scientific studies have proven-that eating oatmeal
as part of a healthy diet can reduce cholesterol. In fact, the FDA
awarded the first-ever food specific health claim to oatmeal because
of its heart-healthy benefits-that three grams of soluble fiber from
oatmeal daily, in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may
reduce the risk of heart disease. |
|
|
Think
of rolled oats as tiny sponges that soak up cholesterol and carry it
out of the bloodstream.
What is
cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver
and other cells in the body. Cholesterol has a number of important
jobs, including the production of certain hormones as well as the
breakdown and digestion of fat. Sometimes our bodies have too much
cholesterol, and this becomes a problem.
Where
does the extra cholesterol come from? As we mentioned, cholesterol
is made in the body, primarily by the liver. It is also found in
foods that come from animals, such as beef, poultry, seafood, and
dairy products. When the body has more than it needs or can convert
to useful purposes, cholesterol levels in the blood can rise. The
extra cholesterol can eventually damage and clog arteries.
Are there foods that actually reduce cholesterol? Yes, one that
actively removes cholesterol from |
