How can cereal and yogurt help lower your cholesterol?

The answer: soluble oat fibre and plant sterols.

Dietitians have been encouraging people to increase the soluble fibre in their diet for years, as it can assist in lowering cholesterol levels. Health Canada has now approved a health claim that can be found on the label of products containing oat fibre. The claim will read as follows:

"Oat fibre helps reduce cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease." 

Oat fibre is one source of soluble fibre that is found in products such as oatmeal and oat bran cereals. Other sources of soluble fibre include fruits (plums, apples, pears, berries), vegetables (carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes), barley and legumes.

Plant sterols have also been found to decrease LDL-cholesterol aka "bad" cholesterol. Plant sterols are naturally occurring in plant products such as canola or sunflower oils, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, leafy green vegetables and whole grains (wheat germ, brown rice, oat bran). The following are examples of plant sterol claims that can be made on products containing the required amounts as determined by Health Canada.

"Plant sterols help reduce [or help lower] cholesterol." 

"High cholesterol is a risk factor of heart disease."

For a full description of the background and specifics to make the claims visit Health Canada's website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca and use the search function (i.e. plant sterol claim or oat fibre claim).

Yet, another reason breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A cereal, yogurt & berry parfait is sounding good right about now....