How To Lower Cholesterol

High cholesterol levels are linked to many health problems. The principle illnesses are thought to be thickening of the arteries and heart disease. These diseases are life threatening if left untreated so there is much emphasis on lowering cholesterol in topical programs and commercials on TV and radio. This article will discuss how to lower cholesterol and keep problems like heart disease at bay.

Although there are plenty of cholesterol medicines available, medication is often a last resort for doctors. If you are diagnosed with high cholestrol, a doctor will prescribe two treatments that are quite simple but require discipline and will power. They will advise that you eat low cholesterol foods and develop a regular exercise program.

Foods to lower cholesterol

Animal products, typically fatty meats and dairy products are a leading cause in the build up of LDL cholesterol known as 'bad cholesterol'. Another widespread food additive is trans fat which is a man-made product that makes food tastier and acts as a preservative. These foods should be avoided. Instead a person should try to eat fresh foods.

There has been a popular slogan in advertising that promotes eating five pieces of fruit or vegetable a day. This is aimed at reducing cholesterol and preventing disease. It should be taken to heart. Replace any processed vegetable with fresh produce and have a regular stock of fruit available.

Other foods to eat to lower cholesterol include foods that contain whole grains. These are foods like cereals, brown rice or wholemeal pasta. If you eat meat then try to stick to lean cuts and remove any skin on chicken or other poultry. Use low fat or non-fat milk instead of full fat. Avoid using oil to cook your foods. If you use oil try to make it unsaturated vegetable oils like olive oil or canola. Fish is good for you, especially oily fish like salmon that contains omega 3 oils that are thought to be good for the body.

This is not so much a happinesslifetime.com diet to lower cholesterol but rather a set of guidelines to follow to ensure that your diet is lower in animal and saturated fats. If followed it will help to lower cholesterol.

Exercise and cholesterol

Exercise will work on two levels. It will help you to lose weight and burn up fat, if you need to . This will put less stress on the body that will allow it to function efficiently. In terms of cholesterol it will improve the level of HDL cholesterol that helps to transport cholesterol to the liver where it is excreted. Exercise will also get the heart pumping that will push the blood through your system giving less chance for plague to stick to the walls of the arteries.

See your doctor before starting an exercise program. Build the program up rather than setting impossible goals immediately. Start by taking a 30 minute walk. Turn this into an hour over time. As you get more fit and active, you can be more adventurous with your exercises. Try dance or martial arts classes or join a squash league. Above all, try to do something everyday.

Eating a low fat diet and exercising are the simplest way to reduce cholesterol. If it is not too high then you will soon have it under control, otherwise persist with the treatment and it will soon be lower.

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