A diet consisting of plant-based fats and protein is the best way to lower cholesterol, according to a new study.

Researchers from Canada concluded that eating plenty of nuts, oats and soya is a better tactic for cholesterol reduction than simply avoiding saturated fats.

According to the Mail Online, they came to their conclusion by placing one sample group of high cholesterol sufferers on a low-fat diet and another on a diet high in plant-based fats and protein. It was found that those on the nuts, oats and soya diet had ten per cent lower average cholesterol levels after six months than those on the reduced-fat diet.  

The study may be of interest to many people in dietitian jobs who may have advised patients that avoiding saturated fats is the best solution to reducing high cholesterol levels.

Speaking to TIME Magazine, the study's head researcher, Dr. David Jenkins, claimed that it shouldn't be too difficult to make the changes to significantly lower cholesterol levels.

He said: "The results show that we do have something worthwhile to add to the dietary formula. You don't have to hold your nose, but just change as much as you can and look for substitutes for high-fat foods that often fill the gap very, very well.

"To eat more oats, for example, change your breakfast cereal and try some desserts made of oat bran with fruits and nuts."