An elevated cholesterol level is a huge risk factor for developing heart disease in the long run. One of the best ways of lowering your cholesterol levels is by following a heart-healthy diet. The key is to include foods in your diet that mainly lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol content in your blood. So, here are some foods that can help lower cholesterol levels and eliminate some risk factors for possible heart disease.

Dark chocolate and cocoa
This is something that many people might love. Research has revealed that dark chocolate and cocoa can lower bad cholesterol content in your blood. However, you must choose dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 75–85% or higher, or cocoa alone to enjoy the benefits. Milk chocolate and white chocolate are high in sugar content, which can negatively affect your heart health.

Whole grains
Including whole grains like oats, barley, and others in your daily diet is an easy way of lowering cholesterol levels. Whole grains, especially oats and barley, are loaded with vitamins and minerals, plant compounds, and fiber that can help manage cholesterol. So, don’t forget to have a bowl of oatmeal or oat-based cereals for breakfast every day. You can top it with banana slices and strawberries to make it flavorful.

Fatty fish
Fish always find their way into the list of almost any kind of healthy food. Digging in on fatty fishes, such as salmon or mackerel, twice or thrice a week can lower LDL, or bad cholesterol. These fish are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which makes your heart stronger by increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), “good” cholesterol.

Beans
Beans are packed with soluble fiber, an important nutrient that helps lower cholesterol. They are extremely versatile and available in different varieties such as navy beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, and more. Also, consuming beans makes you full for longer as your body takes a while to digest them.

Nuts
Rich in monounsaturated fats, nuts are a great for on-the-go snacking. Many studies have claimed that consuming almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and other nuts boost your heart health. Eating two ounces of nuts each day can help lower bad cholesterol and also protect your heart in other ways.

Avocados
Don’t forget to include some nutrient-rich fruits like avocados in your daily diet. Avocados are exceptionally high in monounsaturated fats and fiber, two heart-healthy nutrients that help lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.

Vegetable oils
The next time you’re shopping for vegetable cooking oil, remember to look for the one that helps decrease your bad cholesterol levels. Using vegetable oils such as sunflower, canola, safflower, and some other cooking oil can be a great way to keep your body and heart in check.

Soy
Consuming soybeans and foods based on soy like tofu or soy milk, was considered a very effective way to lower your cholesterol level in the past. However, recent research has shown that they are only moderately effective. Eating 25 grams of soy in a day can lower bad cholesterol by 5% to 6% in your blood.

By including the foods mentioned above your cholesterol may reduce. However, at times, doctors may suggest a combination of foods and medicine for faster recovery. Livalo, Lipitor, and Crestor are some effective medicines. Since they can be slightly expensive, here’s some information on availing discount coupons.

Livalo
Livalo® belongs to a class of statins that bring down low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Statins are usually prescribed to work with healthy changes in food and lifestyle habits to manage cholesterol better. But, a 90-day supply of 1mg dose can cost beyond $1000. However, Livalo for cholesterol coupons are available on many pharmacy sites like GoodRx. The manufacturer has a Livalo Savings Card program that saves on co-pay balances that exceed $18 (up to $75) on a 30-day supply and $54 (up to $225) on a 90-day supply. Also, using a Livalo® Pitavastatin cholesterol Rx discount card lowers the monthly cost for patients who have the needed insurance and income requirements and use retail or mail-order pharmacies.

Lipitor
Like Livalo, Lipitor has cholesterol lowering properties. The brand is offering a Lipitor Savings Card wherein you pay about $4 for a 30-day fill. However, the offer is limited to a maximum of $150 saving per fill or $1800 per year. The coupon is not valid on partial or full reimbursement by Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, Veterans Affairs healthcare, or any other federal or state healthcare program.

Crestor
Crestor helps reduce cholesterol in high-risk patients that are 18 years or older. The Crestor Savings Card gives you a discount for a maximum of $130 for a 30-day supply, $260 for 60 days, or $390 for 90 days. However, it expires in 14 months from the day it was first used.

Repatha (Evolocumab)
Repatha is a statin medication that has been proven helpful in lowering down the patients’ LDL levels. It is also beneficial for cardiovascular health. The dosage differs depending on the condition being addressed. Repatha cholesterol option can be discussed with doctors and is available in the form of injections. It contains evolocumab, a compound that has successfully shown positive results in patients with high LDL levels. This makes evolocumab a great cholesterol option.