Friday, February 20, 2009
A diet high in dietary fiber plays an important in preventing heart disease and lowering cholesterol levels. 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%. Fiber also increase satiety (how full you feel), aiding efforts to lose weight and/or maintain a healthy weight.
Good sources of fiber include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Wheat and whole-wheat products
- Seeds and nuts
- Oat and oat bran
- Legumes (dried beans and peas)
- Flax seed
