Did you know that 86 million adults over 20 years old have high cholesterol? For perspective, that's about a quarter of the adult population. High cholesterol is a common problem, but it's not one you should ignore.
Total cholesterol levels over 200mg/dL can increase your risk of heart issues. Your body needs cholesterol to function properly, but too much can lead to plaque buildup in your blood vessels.
If you have high cholesterol, here are some tips to make improvements and prevent future issues.
Improve Your Diet
Diet and cholesterol share an intrinsic link. Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs to stay healthy. So everything else that leads to high cholesterol comes from the food you eat!
Avoid foods high in saturated and trans fats. That includes fatty meats, cheeses, dairy, etc. Instead, go for healthier alternatives low in fat, sodium and sugar. Explore this website for a comprehensive guide on natural cholesterol lowering foods. Discover simple, delicious ways to manage your heart health today!
You can also try natural cholesterol lowering foods. Invest in premade foods or introduce items high in Omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fibers. Dietary changes can make a big difference; your heart and cardiologist will thank you for the improvements!
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight
Being overweight or obese can lead to an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. That's the bad cholesterol that can lead to heart problems. When you're overweight, your body uses cholesterol differently, making it more difficult to remove LDL cholesterol from the blood.
In addition to trying natural cholesterol lowering foods, improve your diet and get more active. Consult your doctor about how much weight you need to lose, and consider working with professionals to help you get there.
Leave Unhealthy Habits Behind
Unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking can exacerbate cholesterol issues. Smoking damages blood vessels and can speed up the development of plaque. Meanwhile, excessive alcohol use can increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Ditching smoking is the best course of action. For drinking, you can limit your consumption.
Stay Active
Finally, aim to stay active throughout your life. Experts recommend getting at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. Daily walks can get you there with no problem.
Being active will help you stay in shape, lower cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health.
Read a similar article about clinically proven cholesterol lowering foods here at this page.
