Cholesterol is a substance manufactured by the body in the liver, which provides us with 80% of what we need to stay healthy. The rest must come from the foods we eat, although there are two different types of cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), known as the "good" type, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is known as the "bad" type. By following a happinesslifetime.com low cholesterol diet, we can actively take control of our health and avoid some of the serious conditions associated with blood cholesterol levels.
In most instances, simple lifestyle changes are all that's necessary for lowering harmful levels of cholesterol. The benefits are numerous.
Decreased risk of heart attacks or other cardiac events
Decreased risk of stroke
Decreased risk of blood clots
Lower blood pressure
More energy
Longer life expectancy
If all those things sound like something you'd be interested in (and you should be), then it's important to eat the right foods. Here are some foods that will help you keep your levels where they need to be.
Oatmeal: Oat bran contains soluble fiber that binds to the cholesterol within the intestines and then excretes it before it has a chance to be absorbed by the body. For other sources of soluble fiber, try eating pears, apples, prunes, Brussels sprouts and kidney beans.
Nuts: Certain nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, have a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and may actually help the blood vessels and arteries to stay healthier and retain their elasticity, allowing for better blood flow.
Poultry: Turkey and chicken without the skin or breading are a great alternative to red meats. Skinless, white meat that's cooked without frying is the healthier choice.
Fish: Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which is also found in oils such as canola and soybean. These fatty acids help to decrease triglycerides and in turn, decrease the risk of heart disease.
To keep from raising your levels, avoid foods such as red meats or cuts of meat that contain marbleized fat, which are both notorious problem foods. Snack foods or foods that are high in fat content, such as those with sugar or made from white flour should also be avoided. Try to stick to dairy foods that are low in fats such as yogurt and skim milk instead.
Besides monitoring your dietary intake, there are several other things you can easily do to keep your levels within normal range.
Quit smoking: Smoking has been proven to lower the good levels of cholesterol (HDL) while increasing the bad levels (LDL), and also seriously increases the risk of heart disease. The encouraging news is that your chances of getting some type of coronary heart disease begin to decrease the minute you stop smoking.
Maintain a healthy weight: As little as five to 10 percent loss of body fat is enough to seriously lower the levels of bad cholesterol within the blood.
Get regular exercise: Regular, moderate exercise, even just brisk walking approximately 30 minutes five times per week, is enough to improve your levels.
Take medication: Your physician will be able to determine and prescribe the right kind of cholesterol lowering medication for you after doing a series of simple blood tests. Also keep in mind that some prescription drugs for other conditions may either increase or decrease the cholesterol levels in the blood. Be sure to ask your doctor if anything you are taking may be affecting your levels, if there are any alternative medications to try instead, and their recommendations for best monitoring your lipid levels.
Thankfully, a happinesslifetime.com low cholesterol diet isn't one that's difficult to follow and never consists of exotic or hard to find foods that you wouldn't normally consider eating. By simply making a conscious effort to keep close watch on what you eat, you'll be taking active steps toward better health and a stronger heart.
To find out more about starting a reduce-high-cholesterol.com/Low_Cholesterol_Diet.html low cholesterol diet visit reduce-high-cholesterol.com reduce-high-cholesterol.com , a popular website designed to give you the information you need to live a healthier life. You'll also learn the importance of getting a reduce-high-cholesterol.com/Cholesterol_Test.html cholesterol test, and what to do if the results aren't as good as you might hope for.
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