There is “good” cholesterol, and there is “bad” cholesterol. Generally, what is referred to as “bad” cholesterol, and desired to be lowered is your LDL, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. And many people are attempting to lower their LDL, but this does not mean cutting out oil and fat from your diet completely, because your body does need cholesterol. Your HDL, or high-density lipoprotein is incredibly important to vascular integrity and the proper healing and repair of blood vessels. So, the question is, “how can you balance the different types of cholesterol?”
The types of oils and fats we consume
The answer is in the types of oils and fats we consume. Across the board, exchanging saturated fats with unsaturated fats is beneficial. However, there is also research that shows that natural saturated fats from butter, lard, tallow, and coconuts can be extremely beneficial. And this is part of what makes the question of cholesterol so confusing. However, we can simplify things slightly by advocating only saturated fats from whole food sources, and from quality grass fed sources where antibiotics are not used.
But aside from that, what oils are the best for cooking with, and using as salad dressings? Which oils have a fat matrix that is the most likely to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol?
A recent study says that oils from seeds are the best for lowering LDL
Well, a recent study says that oils from seeds are the best for lowering LDL. Sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, safflower oil and flaxseed oil performed the best in the study. This is contrary to many who think that olive oil is on the top of the list.
Razi Berry is the founder and publisher of the journal Naturopathic Doctor News & Review that has been in print since 2005 and the premier consumer-faced website of naturopathic medicine, NaturalPath. She is the host of The Natural Cancer Prevention Summit and The Heart Revolution-Heal, Empower and Follow Your Heart, and the popular 10 week Sugar Free Summer program. From a near death experience as a young girl that healed her failing heart, to later overcoming infertility and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia through naturopathic medicine, Razi has lived the mind/body healing paradigm. Her projects uniquely capture the tradition and philosophy of naturopathy: The healing power of nature, the vital life force in every living thing and the undeniable role that science and mind/body medicine have in creating health and overcoming dis-ease. Follow Razi on Facebook at Razi Berry and join us at Love is Medicine to explore the convergence of love and health.