So you have high cholesterol and need to lower it? That is no surprise considering how many people have high cholesterol these days. To help lower your cholesterol, here are 10 tips you can get started with today.
As with anything health related, diet and exercise are the two crucial components. What you eat is critical to lowering your cholesterol levels, so that is what is included here.
One thing you should know is the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol. Simply think of HDL as “healthy” and LDL as “lousy.” HDL can actually help carry cholesterol out of your blood vessels while LDL allows it to deposit inside your artery walls.
The good news is that you can change your cholesterol for the better. Here is how to do just that:
1. Have a nice sandwich on whole wheat bread or a pita with some lean turkey and lots of fresh veggies. Skip the hot dogs, bologna, and salami, and hold the Mayo. All of those are highly processed and filled with fat and cholesterol.
2. Fish, like salmon, is good. Look for wild red salmon varieties, which are very high in Omega-3 fatty acids (good fat.) Also, flax seed is a good source of Omega-3s.
3. Avoid Trans fats! Not only do they raise the lousy LDL cholesterol, they can also lower your HDL levels! Stay away from foods like margarine, shortening, and processed foods containing partially hydrogenated soybean oil.
4. Go ahead, go nuts! Look for walnuts mainly but also try almonds, macadamia nuts, cashews, and pecans. Nuts are high in fat, but it’s the good kind. (Also, use natural peanut butter instead of the normal kind which contains unhealthy Trans fats.)
5. Limit desserts and try to eat only the healthier ones like angel food cake, graham crackers, Jell-O, and fat-free frozen yogurt.
6. Eat foods that are high in fiber. Examples include whole wheat bread, oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, and some cereals. (Look for the boxes that say “may help lower cholesterol.”)
7. Use the grill. If you’re going to have steak or burgers, grill them at home and use lean meat. This practice avoids the grease, is fun, and the meat tastes great.
8. Find a new salad dressing. Most of them are full of Trans fats and cholesterol. Olive oil is good, and maybe add vinegar or lemon juice. Also, skip the bacon bits, croutons, and egg yolks.
9. Go overboard on fruits and vegetables. They contain no cholesterol and they have lots of nutrients like antioxidants.
Here are some examples: green peas, broccoli, cauliflower, apples, oranges, mangos, papaya, pineapple, tomato, garlic, onions, spinach, water chestnuts, bananas, apricots, blueberries, and kiwi.
10. Avoid fast food like french fries and anything else from the deep fryer. Those foods will raise your cholesterol like crazy, so stay away from the burger joints if you can.
11. Bonus tip: Use spices like pepper and oregano to add flavor to your dishes. They are a healthy alternative to other toppings like Mayo.
That was easy, wasn’t it? Just make some of these changes and get plenty of exercise like walking, jogging, swimming, or playing basketball. You will have lower cholesterol in no time!
More information on Tags: Fruits Vegetables, Hdl Levels, Salmon Varieties
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Monday, November 9th, 2009
High cholesterol is one of the leading causes of heart disease and heart attacks in the world today. Millions of people are afflicted with high cholesterol whether it is because of heredity or diet.
Cholesterol is the fatty molecule that is produced by the liver and dispersed throughout the body through the bloodstream. It is a natural part of cell strength. In normal amounts, cholesterol can assist the body in many different ways. It is when cholesterol reaches unhealthy levels that it becomes a health risk.
High cholesterol is a serious health risk for millions of people around the world. Whether the high cholesterol is due to heredity or diet, there are ways to lower cholesterol to a level that is not a risk to your health.
The most important way to lower cholesterol is to modify your diet. This includes limiting consumption of red meat, milk and cheese, along with other dairy products. These foods are high in cholesterol and can increase your risk of a heart attack.
Changing your diet does not mean that you have to sacrifice taste. There are many foods that are low in unsaturated fat, which is needed to maintain a low cholesterol level. Fruits and vegetables, along with fish, can help you lead a long and healthy life. Studies have shown that cultures that consume these foods as part of their daily diet have significantly lower levels of cholesterol and longer life spans.
The next step is to incorporate an exercise routine into your everyday life. This will also assist in lowering your cholesterol.
Lifestyle changes can be difficult to adjust to and a positive attitude is a necessity. Having a positive attitude will aid you sticking to the lifestyle changes you have committed to.
When you join a fitness center, you are usually assigned a personal trainer that will design a routine specifically for your needs. Most fitness centers have nutritionists that can help you set up a menu plan to assist in lowering your cholesterol.
For those who cannot control their cholesterol through diet and exercise alone, there are prescription drugs on the market today that lower cholesterol considerably. The medications can only be given once your doctor has done tests that show high cholesterol.
For those who are hesitant about taking more medications then they already are, there are herbal remedies that have had tremendous results. Research has shown that Flaxseed and niacin have proven to lower cholesterol. Red rice extract has also shown that it has cholesterol lowering properties. However, it is crucial that you consult your doctor before taking any type of medication for lowering cholesterol because there are some herbal remedies that may counter act prescription medications you are taking.
When you decide to take step to lower your cholesterol, you are not only doing it for yourself, but for your loved ones. By taking the necessary steps to lower your cholesterol, you are giving yourself the chance to be around for all of the special memories.
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Tags: Exercise Routine, Lifestyle Changes, Low Cholesterol
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