Cholesterol & Heart Disease

The inclusion of oats as part of a diet low in saturated fat and a healthy lifestyle can help reduce blood cholesterol

High blood Cholesterol triggers alarm bells and requires immediate attention. It is universally recognised that a diet, which is high in fat, salt and sugars, and low in fibre, fruit and vegetables, increases the risk of coronary heart disease.

Cholesterol comes from two sources; the majority is made in the body (the liver) and from our diets. The amount of cholesterol made in the liver is directly linked to the amount of saturated fat we eat.

It has been found that a high level of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, because the cholesterol can slowly build up in the walls of coronary arteries, which forms the fatty deposits that narrow the arteries. LDL cholesterol is also known as “bad” cholesterol and the lower this level, the better. Foods high in saturated fat are found mainly in animal fats and are the major influence on the level of cholesterol in the blood.

Good cholesterol, however, helps with the production of hormones, absorption of some nutrients and the sending of messages by cells within the nervous system.

Heart UK - The Cholesterol Charity

People with a healthy heart tend to eat more wholegrain foods as part of a healthy lifestyle.