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Improve Cholesterol Levels

Improve Cholesterol Levels with theses 4 Lifestyle Changes That Will Improve Your Cholesterol Levels Cholesterol is a fatty substance made in the liver and is essential for many bodily functions such as cell membrane formation, hormone production, and food digestion. It is also present in animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy products. High levels of cholesterol are harmful to your body. There are two types of cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL is also known as the “bad cholesterol, “while HDL is also referred to as “good cholesterol.” An unhealthy lifestyle is one of the leading causes of high cholesterol in our bodies. Amazingly, there are no symptoms of high cholesterol in the body, but it can increase the risk of heart diseases, heart attack, and stroke. You can naturally lower your cholesterol level by observing a healthy lifestyle. Read on to discover. Observing Your Diet You are what you eat, and a few adjustments to your diet can reduce cholesterol in your body. Saturated fats and Trans fats raise the overall cholesterol level in the body. Saturated fats are mainly found in red meat and full-fat dairy products while Trans fats are used in margarine, vegetable shortening, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, and fried foods. Reducing the consumption of these fats will help you reduce the LDL cholesterol in your body. Increasing foods rich in soluble fiber such as oatmeal, kidney beans, lentils, citrus fruits, and apples in your diet helps to reduce cholesterol in your body since it reduces its absorption in the bloodstream. Other heart-healthy foods include Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, herrings, and walnuts. Exercising and Increasing Your Physical Activity Studies show that the right kind of workouts, done regularly can raise the good cholesterol in your bloodstream. It also lowers dangerous triglycerides levels. You can incorporate regular exercise in your day to day life by walking, jogging, or cycling. Few studies also show that exercise can aid the transport of cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver, where it is finally excreted. But, people with heart conditions should seek medical advice before engaging in intense physical activity. Losing weight Being overweight is a risk factor for heart diseases. Shedding excess weight even as little as 5% of your body weight can significantly improve your cholesterol levels. It helps to lower your LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels and can also help to raise your HDL (good cholesterol). Quitting the Smoking Habit Smoking damages your arteries and blood vessels, which can make them more prone to clogging by excess cholesterol. A combination of high cholesterol and smoking sets a stage for stroke and heart attack. Although there is no conclusive research that shows how smoking alters the levels of LDL, it worsens its effects on the body. It also creates an environment that leads to the breakdown of LDL into a state that is more toxic to the blood vessels. Besides, Acrolein, a toxic substance present in the gas phase of cigarettes and tobacco smoke, interferes with the functionality of HDL by attacking the protein. This hindrance leads to more fat accumulating in the bloodstream and other parts of the body. Experts estimate that smokers have a higher chance (2 to 4 times) of developing heart diseases than non-smokers. Did these tips help to Improve Cholesterol Levels for you? Let us know on our Facebook Page!

Diagnosed with high cholesterol

Diagnosed with high cholesterol So, you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol. What does that mean, and why does it matter? Cholesterol is a substance found naturally within the body. It is produced by your liver and is an essential component of cell creation in the body. So how could something that the body needs be such a problem? Along with creating our own cholesterol, humans also intake extra cholesterol from our diet. Examples of high cholesterol foods are animal products such as red meat, poultry, and dairy products that are high in fat content. Because of this, diet plays a major role in managing high cholesterol. Ok, so how is having high cholesterol a bad thing? Extra cholesterol that is not used by the body for cell production circulates freely in our bloodstream. There are two different types of cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL is considered “bad” cholesterol, while HDL is considered “good.” LDL cholesterol is known for sticking to and creating blockages in our circulatory system (a condition called atherosclerosis, meaning the narrowing of arteries). Narrow arteries cause an increase in blood pressure, and buildups/plaques of LDL can break off to cause blockages that can be the cause of a heart attack or stroke. Having high levels of LDL is considered bad and dangerous for your health. HDL, on the other hand, is known for reducing the amount of LDL cholesterol floating in our circulatory system. HDL collects and returns the LDL to the liver, where it is broken down and removed. In this way, having high HDL cholesterol is not considered dangerous, and having a regular or elevated level of HDL is linked to a reduced risk of stroke. Finding out what your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels are regularly is a great first step to monitoring and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Did you find this article helpful? Let us know on our Facebook Page!