{"id":469790,"date":"2026-06-10T07:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T07:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/469790\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T07:16:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T07:16:10","slug":"doctor-urges-people-with-high-cholesterol-to-have-four-foods-in-their-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/469790\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctor urges people with high cholesterol to have four foods in their kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"

An expert said he would eat these if he were diagnosed with the condition\"Woman<\/p>\n

A doctor shared four foods that could help lower your cholesterol levels(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

A doctor has urged people living with a potentially dangerous medical condition to keep four foods in their kitchen. These foods could naturally help lower cholesterol.<\/p>\n

Having high cholesterol is a major issue in the UK, with around two in five adults thought to be affected. Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance found in the blood. Though a certain amount of it is needed in the body, too much can cause build-ups in the blood vessels, leading to blockages.<\/p>\n

It is also a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes<\/a>. Therefore, keeping your cholesterol levels under control is vital.<\/p>\n

One such way to do this is by watching what you eat<\/a>. With this in mind, Doctor Karan Rajan<\/a> took to social media platform TikTok to share some of the best foods for managing cholesterol levels.<\/p>\n

Dr Rajan, who is better known online as Dr Raj, said: \u201cIf I was diagnosed with high cholesterol, these are four things I’d have in my kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Content cannot be displayed without consentBerries<\/p>\n

According to Dr Raj, these are \u201crich\u201d in polyphenols such as anthocyanins. These \u201cincrease the amount of bile acids\u201d formed, which then means more cholesterol is excreted.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cThese polyphenols also act as antioxidants, which can actually help the lining of the blood vessels. And the polyphenols also limit the amount of LDL [low-density lipoprotein] oxidation, which is bad cholesterol.”<\/p>\n

Seeds<\/p>\n

Dr Raj said: \u201cThese have healthy fats which reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption and reduce liver fat synthesis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Berry<\/p>\n

Dr Raj said berries are \u201crich\u201d in polyphenols such as anthocyanins(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

Beans and lentils<\/p>\n

Dr Raj explained that these contain fermentable fibres, which \u201cmaximise short chain fatty acid\u201d production, which actually downregulates the liver cholesterol synthesis. \u201cThey’re also rich in plant proteins, which actually increases LDL receptor activity, which means more LDL clearance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Illustration<\/p>\n

High cholesterol can cause the arteries to harden and narrow(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

Oats<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cThese are rich in the prebiotic fibre beta-glucan, which is one of the most studied prebiotics for cholesterol reduction. These form a viscous, soluble gel that binds to bile acids and excretes them and forces your body to pull more LDL cholesterol out of circulation to make even more bile.\u201d<\/p>\n

To help lower your cholesterol, the NHS<\/a> recommends that you eat more:<\/p>\n

Oily fish, like mackerel and salmonOlive oil, rapeseed oil and spreads made from these oilsBrown rice, wholegrain bread and wholewheat pastaNuts and seedsFruits and vegetables<\/p>\n

The health body says you should also try to eat less:<\/p>\n

Meat pies, sausages and fatty meatButter, lard and gheeCream and cheeseCakes and biscuitsFood that contains coconut oil or palm oil