Managing blood cholesterol levels is important for heart health.  When blood cholesterol levels are high, fatty deposits called plaque may build up in artery walls.  This build-up hardens and narrows arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart muscle.  This may cause chest pain, heart attack, heart failure, irregular heartbeat or stroke, which are symptoms of coronary artery disease.  Several studies have shown that the higher the total cholesterol level, the higher the risk for coronary artery disease.

Fibre is one dietary component that may help reduce blood cholesterol.  Maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise can also help.  Talk to your healthcare professional about other ways to help lower blood cholesterol.  This article will focus on how your diet can help you manage your cholesterol.

An increase in dietary fibre automatically means you are consuming less saturated fat, because it doesn't occur in high fibre foods, therefore, the heart benefits.

What Is Fibre Exactly?

Roughage, bulk, fibre - they’re all the same thing.  But what is fibre, and what does it do?  Fibre is the part of plant foods that cannot be digested or absorbed by the body.  Yet, it plays an important role in promoting good health and protecting against some diseases, such as heart disease.

While there are many factors that contribute to heart disease, eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fruits, vegetables and grain products that contain fibre may reduce your risk of heart disease.

Choosing foods that contain fibre is an important part of a heart-healthy diet.

Diets containing whole grain and high-fibre foods may have additional health benefits.  Low-fat, fibre-rich diets reduce the risk of some types of cancer.  The Cancer Council recommends healthy body weight, regular exercise and healthy diet.  In 2002, the American Dietetic Association concluded that many of the diseases of public health significance - obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes - as well as less prevalent but no less significant diseases of the digestive system can be aided by increasing the amounts and varieties of fibre-containing foods.  The consumption of low-fat, high-fibre foods also helps satisfy hunger and may help control weight.  Diets that are high in fibre tend to be low in energy and these diets can be useful in weight control, also higher in vitamins and minerals.

Fibre, Where Do You Find It?

Fibre is found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads, cereals and grains. Legumes (dried peas, beans and lentils) are also rich in fibre.  Foods of animal origin do not contain dietary fibre.  Snacks that are good sources of fibre include sunflower seeds, mixed nuts, popcorn, and some cereals.

An easy and effective place to help you get fibre is at breakfast.  High-fibre cereals topped with fruit and wholemeal toast are a terrific way to start the day.