Lowering Your Cholesterol

Excessive cholesterol contributes to a number of serious health ailments. If you have not had a health checkup recently and you think that your cholesterol level might be high, it is a good idea to have a test.

How to Know if Your Cholesterol is Too High

Before you take a test, there may be a few clues that can give you an idea of the likelihood that your cholesterol level is too high. Generally, high cholesterol and poor diet go hand in hand. If you consume a lot of junk food, including fast food and snacks or if you eat a lot of fatty food then there is a good chance that your cholesterol level is higher than it should be. Getting your cholesterol under control will take a bit of hard work and determination but it is possible.

HDL and LDL Cholesterol

You should note that there are two types of cholesterol in our blood. There is low-density lipoprotein or LDL, which bad cholesterol, and there is high-density lipoprotein or HDL, which is the good type. Some researchers believe that HDL can help to reduce the levels of LDL in the blood stream. One way that we can boost the level of HDL in our body is to exercise. People who exercise frequently are likely to have higher levels of HDL and lower levels of "LDL." Choose an exercise that you can enjoy. If you do not like running, try walking. If it is too hot for running and walking, go swimming. If you live a reasonable distance from work, you could try cycling several times a week instead of driving. Make exercise a part of your daily routine and you will start to see improvements in your cholesterol levels.

How to Increase HDL

Eating well does not mean giving up fats. On the contrary, some fats are good for increasing the levels of HDL in our body. Olive oil is a wonderful source of "HDL." Using olive oil in place of butter or margarine is a great way to make an extremely positive change in your diet. Butter and margarine are likely to have a negative effect on your LDL level. Trade in chips and snacks for a healthier alternative. Nuts are great for HDL. Eat more fish and less red meat, the fats found in fish are better for your health than the LDL increasing fats that are in various types of meat.

Cholesterol and Smoking

If you are a smoker, you may not be surprised that smoking has a harmful effect on your cholesterol levels. Smoking will lower your HDL and reduce your capacity to exercise. If you are serious about improving your cholesterol, then giving up smoking is highly recommended.

Where to Go for Help

If you need health advice about reducing your cholesterol or if you want to take a cholesterol test, go to health clinic [countryside-clinic.com] and get your cholesterol checked. A health clinic will be able to offer guidance on how to reduce your cholesterol levels.

Andre Zayas is a professionally syndicated author.