{"id":101330,"date":"2025-04-14T11:31:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T11:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=101330"},"modified":"2025-04-14T11:31:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T11:31:10","slug":"olive-oil-heart-secret-weapon","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/olive-oil-heart-secret-weapon\/","title":{"rendered":"Olive Oil: Your Heart\u2019s Secret Weapon"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hypercholesterolemia<\/strong>\u2014elevated cholesterol levels in the blood\u2014is a major cardiovascular risk factor that’s often overlooked. According to a recent French study, 18.8% of adults showed LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) levels above the recommended threshold of 1.6 g\/l.<\/strong> When your cholesterol skyrockets<\/a>, your diet can become your best friend\u2014but also a source of real confusion.<\/p>\n

So what exactly should you put on your plate to tackle those high cholesterol levels? Here\u2019s how you can adapt your daily diet\u2014and still enjoy every delicious bite.<\/p>\n

Olive Oil: Your Heart\u2019s BFF<\/h2>\n

Before we talk grocery shopping, let\u2019s clear up some outdated misconceptions\u2014like the idea that only low-fat diets are healthy. In reality, good fats are key to lowering your cholesterol and keeping your heart happy<\/a>, <\/strong>according to the Spanish Society of Atherosclerosis (SEA).<\/em><\/p>\n

Enter: the Mediterranean diet<\/strong>, famed for its abundant vegetables and heart-healthy fats. “Extra virgin olive oil<\/strong> tops the list as the best option,”<\/em> says Dr. Carlos Pascual, SEA member, speaking to Spanish media Las Provincias<\/em>. On the other hand, sunflower, corn, and soybean oils are best avoided if your cholesterol is already high.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ingredients to Add to Your Weekly Menu\u2014ASAP<\/h2>\n

Of course, olive oil alone isn’t enough. To effectively fight cholesterol, aim for five portions of fruits and vegetables each day\u2014preferably seasonal and fresh.<\/strong> Need more guidance? Here\u2019s how to craft a cholesterol-friendly menu without ever feeling deprived:<\/p>\n