Is extra virgin olive oil good for high cholesterol

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HIGH cholesterol can be improved by making a few dietary changes and tweaks. One great start is by the oil you use for cooking. According to studies, what is the best oil to help lower your levels?

09:41, Wed, May 5, 2021 | UPDATED: 09:43, Wed, May 5, 2021

High cholesterol: Nutritionist reveals top prevention tips

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High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. it's mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol. Much emphasis is placed on foods consumed to help lower cholesterol but what about the best cooking oils?

Health experts recommend using extra virgin olive oil for even greater benefits on your cardiovascular and cholesterol health.

Extra virgin olive oil has numerous benefits for heart health.

It’s been shown to lower blood pressure, protect against “bad” cholesterol particles from oxidation and improve the function of blood vessels.

High cholesterol: Olive oil

High cholesterol: Extra virgin olive oil is best to use to help lower levels (Image: Getty Images)

In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, dietary olive oil in reducing low-density lipoprotein was analysed.

The study noted: “Since olive oil is highly enriched with oleic acid, we tested the effect of olive oil supplementation (50 g/day) to the diet of 10 healthy male subjects, during a two-week period on their LDL and LDL to oxidation levels. 

“Even after one week of the olive oil diet, the LDL susceptibility to in vitro oxidation was significantly reduced.

“We conclude that olive oil supplementation to the diet modifies LDL lipid composition and enriches the lipoprotein with oleic acid and sitosterol.”

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    Cutting down on saturated fat is great way to lower your cholesterol and look after you heart. And it’s just as important to replace some of this with unsaturated fats, said Heart UK.

    Vegetable oils such as olive, sunflower, corn, rapeseed, nut and seed oils

    Avocado, nuts and seeds

    Fat spreads made from vegetable oils, such as sunflower and olive oil

    High cholesterol: Oily fish

    High cholesterol: Oily fish and nuts help to lower levels (Image: Getty Images)

    When it comes to foods which highly benefit cholesterol levels, Heart UK recommends fishy oil.

    “Oily fish is also a good source of healthy unsaturated fats, specifically omega-3 fats,” it said.

    “Aim to eat two portions of fish per week. At least one of which should be oily.

    “A portion is 140g, but you could have two or three smaller portions throughout the week.

    “Tinned, frozen or fresh all count e.g., salmon, sardines, pilchards, trout, herring and mackerel.”

    High cholesterol: (Image: )

    Nuts are another higher recommended food to add to your diet.

    Heart UK adds: “Nuts are good sources of unsaturated fats and lower in saturated fats, a mix which can help to keep your cholesterol in check.

    “They contain fibre which can help block some cholesterol being absorbed into the blood stream from the gut.

    “Plus, protein, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, natural plant sterols and other plant nutrients which help keep your body healthy.”

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    Is olive oil high in cholesterol?

    According to the Mayo Clinic, olive oil is a monounsaturated fat that contains no cholesterol. However, it does contain a small amount of saturated fat, which has been linked with high cholesterol levels. The doctors recommend consuming no more than 7 percent of your daily calories from saturated fat to reduce your risk of heart disease.

    Can olive oil boost your heart health?

    — Nigella Lawson I can guarantee that if you incorporate extra virgin olive oil in your daily diet for the long haul, it will definitely help to boost your heart health. All you have to do is replace the daily cooking oil with extra virgin olive oil.

    What is the best oil to lower cholesterol?

    Beneficial Oils. The rule of thumb is simple: diets high in omega-3 fats and monounsaturated fat can help lower your "bad" LDL cholesterol and raise your "good" HDL cholesterol. You will find these properties in avocado, canola, flaxseed, olive, peanut, sunflower and walnut oils.

    Is extra virgin olive oil good for You?

    Extra virgin olive oil is a natural product, not blended with other oils. It is produced from the olive always at its perfect moment of ripeness and using the most modern technology on the market. Daily consumption of extra virgin olive oil produces a decrease in bad cholesterol without having the same effect on the good type.

    Does a tablespoon of olive oil lower cholesterol?

    It's also one of the top sources of monounsaturated fats that help lower cholesterol and help prevent inflammation. Your body depends on getting some fat from your diet, and consuming 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil each day is a healthy way to meet that need.

    How much olive oil should I take to lower my cholesterol?

    Consuming just a half-tablespoon of olive oil a day is linked to a significant reduction in the risk for cardiovascular disease. The study also suggests that swapping out margarine, butter, mayonnaise, and dairy fat with olive oil could lead to a lower risk for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease.

    How fast can olive oil lower cholesterol?

    According to the study, you could start seeing results in as little as four weeks. Results can be measured by monitoring the level of LDL oxidation in your bloodstream over the course of taking high phenolic olive oil as a supplement to a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

    Does olive oil fight cholesterol?

    But the Mediterranean diet rich in virgin olive oil improved key HDL functions, including helping the body remove excess cholesterol from arteries, serving as an antioxidant, and keeping blood vessels open — all of which reduce cardiovascular risk.