Crack Down on Cholesterol

Smart Snacking could help you shelve the statins. Just one or two servings of pistachios a day can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, by up to 12 percent, report Penn State University scientists. The lipid-lowering effect is likely due to the nuts' content of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, phytosterols, and fiber, says study author Sarah Gebauer, PhD. Try pistachios as an afternoon snack or a salad topping.