20 "Bad" Foods That Actually Lower Your Cholesterol and Protect Your Heart

Lisette Marie

17. Pastured Ghee (Clarified Butter): Butyrate and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

A top-view of natural ingredients including honey, herbs, and leaves, perfect for healthy lifestyle themes. Photo Credit: Pexels @Galiya Tenisheva

Ghee, or clarified butter, contains about 30 mg of cholesterol per tablespoon, but pastured ghee offers unique protective compounds. It is a rich source of Butyrate (a short-chain fatty acid that heals the gut lining) and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), a beneficial fatty acid linked to reduced inflammation and improved metabolic health. While it is saturated fat, traditional and new nutritional science suggests whole, natural fats like ghee support healthy cell membranes and do not promote the inflammatory response associated with processed fats. Use it mindfully in cooking for its flavor and functional benefits.

18. Prawns: Astaxanthin and Trace Minerals

Delicious close-up of prawns sizzling in a frying pan, perfect for seafood lovers. Photo Credit: Pexels @Valeria Boltneva

Prawns, a large cousin of shrimp, also carry a high cholesterol tag (around 170 mg per 3-ounce serving) but are exceptionally rich in Astaxanthin. This powerful pink-red carotenoid is an antioxidant with strong anti-inflammatory properties, offering significant protection against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol—the exact process that makes it dangerous and plaque-forming. Prawns are also an excellent source of trace minerals like zinc and selenium. Consuming them grilled or steamed provides concentrated lean protein and this potent antioxidant defense, supporting the healthy structure and function of your arteries.

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17. Pastured Ghee (Clarified Butter): Butyrate and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

18. Prawns: Astaxanthin and Trace Minerals

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