Good Fats Reduce Plaque in Arteries

Remember back when people thought all fats were bad fats? Studies now help to prove just how incredibly powerful good fats can be at fighting heart disease.

A study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association worked with 47 patients who all had severely blocked arteries. Most of these patients got direct infusions of good fat, or HDL. The others got dummy infusions. After only six weeks, the HDL-dosed patients had visible and measurable reductions in the amount of plaque in their arteries.

Even doctors who believed strongly in the power of HDL, or "good cholesterol" to help counteract plaque were amazed at just how powerful those results were.

Dr. Steven Nissen, the cardiologist who headed up the research, told CNN that "The concept is sort of liquid Drano for the coronary arteries."

We are light years from the days in which doctors felt all fat was the same and all fat was bad. We now know that fish oils are critical for the brain and olive oil is great for the skin. We realize that there are different kinds of fats and oils.

Two things which can raise your HDL levels are moderate exercise and drinking 1-2 glasses of wine a day. Also, take your vitamins - niacin and chromium are both shown to help keep your HDL levels healthy.

Eat lots of fish and olive oil - both help contribute to good HDL levels. They're also good for you for many other reasons.

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Polyunsaturated and Monounsaturated Good Fats
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McDonalds and Partially Hydrogenated Oils
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Saturated Fats