The short answer from a dietitian
Oatmeal is a great option whether you make it simple or dress it up with fruit, seeds and nuts. But besides just being an Instagram-worthy bowl of goodness, oatmeal offers a particularly impressive benefit.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Eating just one and one-half cups of cooked oatmeal a day can lower your cholesterol by 5 to 8%.
Oatmeal contains soluble and insoluble fiber – two types that your body needs. Insoluble fiber, which is also found in the skins of many fruits, helps keep us regular. Soluble fiber, which is also found in beans, oranges and pears, helps prevent disease and lowers cholesterol.
Getting both types of fiber is a big win for your body. But there’s another benefit: fiber can also aid in weight loss because it helps you feel full and satisfied.
So go ahead and stock up on this versatile grain!
– Andrea Dunn, RD, LD, CDE.
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Up to 30% of people who take the cholesterol-lowering medication feel aches and soreness
There’s not enough evidence to show that this supplement has any effect on muscle aches from cholesterol-lowering meds
There’s no limit on the amount you should have each day, but experts are focused on saturated fat
Statin use has been associated with weight gain but the reasons aren’t clear — and the benefits of statins far outweigh the risks
Some statins have been shown to slightly increase your risk of diabetes — but that shouldn’t keep you from taking the medication you need
Lifestyle adjustments can help you raise your HDL, the ‘good’ cholesterol
LDL cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) cholesterol are more likely to stick to your arteries and lead to dangerous heart events
Stopping this critical medication on your own increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and more
If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help
If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style
If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods